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.
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Recent Examples of dire
It was amplified by labor and free-speech debates already reshaping Hollywood discourse, and underscored in importance by the dire stakes of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
The request, which for many families, is nearly as much as the full-year membership to the club, reveals the dire circumstances in which the swim and tennis club finds itself.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
Forward Gui Santos led Golden State with 14 points, while Moody scored 12, sinking four of his 12 attempts from deep, while Golden State shot a dire 12 for 44 from long range in defeat.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Craig Aaron, the co-CEO of Free Press, a consumer advocacy group, excoriated the potential WBD-Paramount merger, warning of dire consequences for the news media.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dire
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
The request, which for many families, is nearly as much as the full-year membership to the club, reveals the dire circumstances in which the swim and tennis club finds itself.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 Mar. 2026
Forward Gui Santos led Golden State with 14 points, while Moody scored 12, sinking four of his 12 attempts from deep, while Golden State shot a dire 12 for 44 from long range in defeat.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 1 Mar. 2026
Craig Aaron, the co-CEO of Free Press, a consumer advocacy group, excoriated the potential WBD-Paramount merger, warning of dire consequences for the news media.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Brent crude oil prices surged 8% over the weekend to approximately $78 a barrel, reflecting acute anxiety over Middle Eastern energy supplies.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Henry Ford Health includes 13 acute care hospitals, including Genesys Hospital, which became part of the system in October 2024.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 10 Mar. 2026.
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