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
After a period of wild and mostly erratic spending under Farhad Moshiri’s ownership left them in dire financial straits, the club are trying to rebuild cautiously under the Friedkin Group.
—
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
The move follows a global outcry against Israel's escalation of its offensive in Gaza, which has left large numbers of Palestinians starving and generally dire humanitarian conditions.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
That could help avoid the dire fiscal situation the school district weathered in June by dipping into reserve funds and eliminating more than 140 full-time positions.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
This is where things become quite dire.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
The move follows a global outcry against Israel's escalation of its offensive in Gaza, which has left large numbers of Palestinians starving and generally dire humanitarian conditions.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
That could help avoid the dire fiscal situation the school district weathered in June by dipping into reserve funds and eliminating more than 140 full-time positions.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
This is where things become quite dire.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Sep. 2025
-
As the ominous clip made its way across social media platforms, many users on TikTok shared various reactions to the religious message.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Last year, a woman in France shared hair-raising footage of her terrifying encounter with a spider.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The existentialist who sits at my desk feels we are each individually thrown into the deep end of existence and tasked with swimming, and that this is a terrifying and heavy task.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Violet Affleck, the 19-year-old daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, took the stage at the United Nations this week, calling for urgent action on clean air, pandemic protections, and broader social justice issues.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The incident has raised urgent concerns for the safety of the more than 500 unarmed participants aboard the flotillas, the GSF said.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
These days, things are pretty bleak at the old mall, which has many vacancies, is startlingly empty of shoppers and appears slated for redevelopment.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
25 Sep. 2025
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Given that such advances are what fuel economic growth and well-being, the future prospects for our economy — and our country in general — become far more bleak.—
Sheldon Jacobson,
Twin Cities,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Football season has arrived, and so has a new horror movie produced by Jordan Peele that delves into the sinister side of the game.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Amelia Gray Hamlin Amelia Gray Hamlin partnered her black lace get-up with a sinister makeup look involving misty gray shadow.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Whether or not that path will continue to be forged without Kirk’s bravado and formidable presence, and who will officially take his place atop Turning Point remains unknown.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The media giant also has announced plans to acquire most of Fubo and combine the pay-TV operator with Hulu + Live TV, creating a formidable sports-centric combination that critics and at least one shareholder have assailed as a potential monopoly.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Exposure to Cs-137 alone can cause burns, acute radiation sickness, cancer and death.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
22 Sep. 2025
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External exposure, however, can lead to burns, acute radiation, sickness and death, the CDC said.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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His 300th was in a depressing environment — at an empty stadium, in the first game of a seven-inning doubleheader in 2020.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
21 Sep. 2025
-
The revelation is as depressing as a leverage penalty.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.
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