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
Taal’s absence served as a chilling reminder of the dire situation students like him face in the wake of Trump’s immigration policy; appearing could have meant Taal’s immediate arrest and detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
—
Susan Thomas, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
To be sure, many dire warning signs on the economy have been from surveys of businesses or from leading economists, while measures of the labor market remain healthier, with the jobless rate in March only ticking slightly higher to 4.2%.
—Jason Lange, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
The situation inside Gaza's hospitals is also dire, according to humanitarian agencies.
—Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
In that context, with a dire recent run of form and with recruitment not quite hitting the mark, particularly in defence (Brighton have conceded at least two goals in five straight league matches), the supporters’ frustration becomes understandable.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Susan Thomas, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
To be sure, many dire warning signs on the economy have been from surveys of businesses or from leading economists, while measures of the labor market remain healthier, with the jobless rate in March only ticking slightly higher to 4.2%.
—Jason Lange, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
The situation inside Gaza's hospitals is also dire, according to humanitarian agencies.
—Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
In that context, with a dire recent run of form and with recruitment not quite hitting the mark, particularly in defence (Brighton have conceded at least two goals in five straight league matches), the supporters’ frustration becomes understandable.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
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
-
To cut yourself off from people is to lose your connection and way in a glorious, terrifying world.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
-
Audio and video deepfakes created with generative AI tools add a new, terrifying wrinkle to scam spotting.—
Kim Key,
PC Magazine,
1 May 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
-
This bleak vision of Hollywood makes for a fascinating backdrop.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
-
The wildest thing about these bleak anti-meet cutes is that no one does this on purpose.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
3 May 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 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
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Mike has fostered a collaborative environment with a team committed to building a formidable global business – innovating and trailblazing at every level.—
Billboard Staff,
Billboard,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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 11 May. 2025.
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