direful

adjective

ˈdī(-ə)r-fəl How to pronounce direful (audio)
Definition of direfulnext
1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come the stock market crash was the first direful indication of the dark days to come

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrifying
causing fear heard the direful howling of the wolves during the night

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for direful
  1. ominous
  2. terrifying
  3. sinister
  4. formidable
  5. menacing
  6. horrible
  7. terrible
  8. frightening
Adjective
  • The dungeons were ominous, multi-level complexes with layouts both eldritch and natural, no longer limited to square tile arrangements.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Some bore ominous messages that could be read only under ultraviolet light.
    — Ed White, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • The blistering one-way run is strangely terrifying from the near silent cockpit as the highway lamps flash past.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In Lima, and especially in the regions, terrifying scenes unfolded outside hospitals, with sick people collapsing in the street due to the shortage of oxygen, one of the key tools for treating the virus.
    — Claudia Rebaza, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • The festival favorite horror film, which was acquired by IFC Films and Shudder, follows a dog’s mission to protect his sickly owner from a sinister supernatural force.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Ganondorf is the ultimate example of this, with his visage keeping its cartoonishly sinister sharp angles and unnaturally green pallor.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Their pass defense is specifically interesting, allowing over 227 passing yards per game, even while boasting one of the most talented and formidable defensive backfields in the game.
    — Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The formidable organization of Seminole County Democrats (aka the SemDems) was clearly a factor there.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • As previously, this Air Jordan 3‘s exterior takes on a look that’s more menacing than festive.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Garcia has a criminal history going back 20 years, including charges of assault, car theft, felony menacing and more.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of menacing
Adjective
  • Their monthlong travel by ship was under horrible conditions.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While the fire was horrible, Hong said some blessings have emerged from the tragedy.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • The bat lay on its back, soggy and wretched, here in the waning hours of this terrible day.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • An ugly fight between teammates during training camp was a terrible start to a season that officially began with a loss against North Carolina, a game in Dublin that TCU essentially sold, against the desires of Dykes.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of terrible
Adjective
  • The frightening part is that almost anyone can end up on the wrong side of these systems.
    — Edward Longe, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Sussman remembers the 1999 Glastonbury Festival as both frightening and unforgettable.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of frightening
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.

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direct taxes
direful
dirge
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Cite this Entry

“Direful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direful. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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