dire

adjective

ˈdī(-ə)r How to pronounce dire (audio)
Definition of direnext
1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come a dire forecast of a plunge in stock prices

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrifying
causing fear a series of dire tremors that hinted at a huge volcanic eruption

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in urgent
needing immediate attention a dire need for food and medicine in the famine-stricken country

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer with stock prices steadily falling, these are dire days on the trading floor

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dire Failures could cause a chain reaction with dire consequences. — Selam Gebrekidan, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Some of the industry’s top leaders have issued increasingly dire warnings about the technology’s potential harm. — Steven Sloan, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2026 History of disrepair Kadema Hall’s dire need of repair is not new or unknown information. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The consignment came at a dire time for the gallery, which has faced multiple lawsuits in recent years, including one filed by artist Jeffrey Gibson, alleging the gallery was withholding hundreds of thousands of dollars in sales proceeds. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
  1. ominous
  2. terrifying
  3. urgent
  4. bleak
  5. sinister
  6. formidable
  7. acute
  8. depressing
Adjective
  • Hong Kong — Days before Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi was killed, her father-in-law and brother-in-law allegedly went on an ominous shopping spree.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And Jeremy is the handsome cipher, the seemingly long-suffering dreamboat of a husband who may or may not be harboring more ominous intentions.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • As an actress, a character like that was thrilling and terrifying.
    — William Earl, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Alas, Hersh was to miss the flight because he was still being held hostage, starving, tortured, and surviving on that date in terrifying confinement.
    — Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • Her songs feel urgent and unfiltered; Rodrigo sings about the negative sides of herself, too, whether that’s feelings of jealousy or obsession.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Torres recommends establishing a coverage plan ahead of cold and flu season, so employees know who will take their shift or handle urgent work.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • Whether or not this year takes the top slot in that bleak ranking is still unclear.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Its successes have provided a spark of optimism in what has otherwise been a bleak few months for Ukraine.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Swift appears as a spectral figure trying to warn Johnson that, based on her own experience, her rich husband has more sinister intentions than his current bride imagines.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
  • And with its peaks and sharp angles, the home could morph from architectural wonder in the daylight to something more sinister in the shadows of the night.
    — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Guests lingered over cocktails, lauding Ghesquière’s formidable creative prowess, personal warmth and loyalty.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Let a Hundred Websites Bloom The Internet and the smartphone have become formidable tools for the Chinese government to maintain tight control over society.
    — Conor Heffernan, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • In some parts of Africa, the obstacles to foreign investment are more acute.
    — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For instance, a patient might be admitted for diverticulitis (primary diagnosis), but found on post-op labs to have acute blood-loss anemia (secondary diagnosis).
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • There will be pockets of opportunities from these old big department stores, which are underinvested and a bit depressing to walk around.
    — Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In the wake of a depressing 69-93 season that sputtered out from the get-go, as so many a Royals campaign does, the club promptly made some substantial changes.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of depressing

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diptychs
dire
direct
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Cite this Entry

“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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