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
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Recent Examples of dire
Freshmen linemen Keenyi Pepe and Breck Kolojay, both of IMG Academy, have looked the part up front, while linebacker Talanoa Ili has generated a lot of buzz at the start of camp and plays at a position of dire need.
—
Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The news only compounded the dire state of the film and television industry in the host nation, which has spent the past three years in a tête-à-tête with the local government over its fledgling rebate system.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
But Friedrich’s concluding statement about nostalgia is as instructive as Selznick’s dire quote.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
About three weeks ago, the Chiefs’ salary-cap situation looked dire.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dire
Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The news only compounded the dire state of the film and television industry in the host nation, which has spent the past three years in a tête-à-tête with the local government over its fledgling rebate system.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
But Friedrich’s concluding statement about nostalgia is as instructive as Selznick’s dire quote.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
About three weeks ago, the Chiefs’ salary-cap situation looked dire.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
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Imagine the surprise, and relief, of all those allied troops who drove into Baghdad without once hearing the ominous cry GAS!—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground Friday.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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Lisa Piper stood on her back deck and took video of a terrifying scene that played out on the other side of frozen Union Lake as a funnel cloud formed and then dropped toward the ground.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Dog walkers recently stumbled across strange-looking footprints on a Scottish beach — a discovery that triggered an urgent archaeological excavation.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Those specialists estimated the building needs $329 million in urgent repairs and more than $1 billion over 20 years for full modernization.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For two teens unable to use their legs, the future was especially bleak.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
-
So what’s to be done when things look bleak?—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The murders themselves are obviously very sinister, but the circumstances surrounding them undermine the show’s drama and lean toward the absurd.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
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But the updraft that struck Flight SQ321 was of a more sinister sort.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Makes for a pretty formidable opponent, especially in your own division.—
Kevin Sherrington
Mar. 6,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
At 38-24 and a half-game ahead of the Lakers, star center Nikola Jokic’s squad is always formidable — and looking to avenge a loss to Redick’s team in their first matchup, 115-107 in a game Jokic didn’t play.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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According to medical records obtained by EW at the time of Hulk's death, the pro wrestler died of acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
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The company in recent years expanded into blood disorders with the approval of its gene-editing treatment Casgevy and acute pain with its drug Journavx.—
Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The aggression with which both parties have worked to manipulate district lines—while loudly inveighing against the other party for doing the exact same thing—is cynical and depressing.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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The case exposed the depressing banality of it all—the man smiling politely at you at the bakery, only to rape your comatose body at night.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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