1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
a dire forecast of a plunge in stock prices
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Meanwhile, many who lost their homes in the L.A. fires are calling for a formal government investigation of major insurance providers, alleging that delays and denials have kept them in dire financial straits and housing limbo.
—
Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
The company’s current expansion efforts are derived from the dire need for restoration, disinfection, and bioremediation services on a national scale.
—William Mullane, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
But food banks remain on the alert, at a time when hunger across the U.S. is already at dire levels.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
In its second weekend — after another week of dire economic news and volatility, along with Trump hitting the pause button on tariffs — the pic grossed a huge $78.5 million over the April 11-13 frame in North America.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
The company’s current expansion efforts are derived from the dire need for restoration, disinfection, and bioremediation services on a national scale.
—William Mullane, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
But food banks remain on the alert, at a time when hunger across the U.S. is already at dire levels.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
In its second weekend — after another week of dire economic news and volatility, along with Trump hitting the pause button on tariffs — the pic grossed a huge $78.5 million over the April 11-13 frame in North America.
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
-
But despite some ominous signs, a close look at the data shows that travel to the United States is largely holding up — at least so far.—
Josh Holder,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The increasing suicide rates of the elderly in rapidly aging Japan and South Korea are an ominous sign.—
The Editors,
National Review,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The teaser trailer showcases the epic highs and lows of professional football, with a focus on the lows, as all of this looks terrifying.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The teaser does feature a glimpse at Calypso, the man who hosts the tournament, as well as a signature laugh from Sweet Tooth the terrifying clown.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
As the exhibition illustrated, Pan-Africanism also corresponded with urgent anti-colonial, anti-apartheid, and civil rights movements worldwide.—
Delinda Collier,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
-
That is the urgent story that authors Allen and Parnes ignored.—
Bruce Fein,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The observations from Drewry’s and Moody’s, as well as the scenario floated by McCown, follow a bleak outlook for the middle of May out of the biggest port in the U.S.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Complicating matters further is a bleak hydrological outlook.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Or, more likely, The Sentry is simply the benevolent mirror image of that shadowy, sinister entity that emerges after Bob Reynolds ingests a super serum.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
However, what was happening behind the scenes was more sinister than what the public thought.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There are formidable breakfast burritos to be devoured all over Greater Los Angeles and Orange County.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
There will be elections in Hungary next year, and Orbán, for the first time in decades, is facing a formidable challenger.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With acute stress, a rapid spike in the hormone typically helps your brain process and retain memories so they can be retrieved later.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
1 May 2025
-
Museums are imperiled by acute financial, social, and ideological challenges.—
Eric Crosby,
Artforum,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
They are already relegated to the Championship with five games to play and could break club records after a desperately depressing campaign.—
Rob Tanner,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Editor’s picks An hour of episodic television is usually breech-birthed in a depressing Hollywood conference room filled with dyspeptic writers arguing over lines as the space fills up with the smell of fear, body odor, and Asian fusion takeout.—
Stephen Rodrick,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share