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
We're being told that things might not be that dire after all.
—
Susan Tompor, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
The Trump Justice Department also filed a brief warning of potentially dire economic fallout this week should the courts reverse Trump’s tariffs.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2025
His dire depiction of the nation’s capital is at odds, however, with federal data showing that violent crime in the District has dropped to its lowest level in three decades.
—Erin Doherty, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025
Though the mayor is expressing interest in addressing the dire situation Miami-Dade’s arts and cultural community is facing, Boone said interest isn’t enough.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Susan Tompor, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025
The Trump Justice Department also filed a brief warning of potentially dire economic fallout this week should the courts reverse Trump’s tariffs.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 14 Aug. 2025
His dire depiction of the nation’s capital is at odds, however, with federal data showing that violent crime in the District has dropped to its lowest level in three decades.
—Erin Doherty, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2025
Though the mayor is expressing interest in addressing the dire situation Miami-Dade’s arts and cultural community is facing, Boone said interest isn’t enough.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
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If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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After it was announced that James would exercise his player option this past June, his agent and CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul gave a somewhat ominous quote regarding the future.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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What to know about the committee’s investigation into Epstein. 'Like a horror movie' Exhausting, terrifying and like something out of a horror movie.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
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These Phillies have faced various forms of adversity in recent years, and none of it rises to this — their ace sidelined by a terrifying blood clot six weeks from the start of another postseason filled with great expectations.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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These questions are particularly urgent for international students at U.S. universities, as the Trump administration has moved to revoke and restrict thousands of international student visas.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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His mission was simple but urgent: to provide genuine legal representation to consumers, not empty promises.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The fiscal prospects for both Chicago and its transit authority are bleak.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
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Europe’s biggest economy Germany shrank more than expected in the second quarter of the year and faces a bleak outlook.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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For The Fin, his team worked to make the dim light extra grainy, giving it a particularly sinister quality.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
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This turns out to be another name for Galactus, a surprisingly scary Marvel villain played with sinister sincerity by Ralph Ineson.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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After decades of battling brutal conditions in the Bering Sea, Hansen, 59, is now facing something even more formidable than icy waves — his own mortality.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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Huntington Beach: The Oilers remain formidable with the return of All-County duo of Roxie Shaia and Taylor Savage at quarterback and wide receiver, respectively. 4.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Officials did not provide information on the person’s condition or whether they were hospitalized or had underlying health conditions, common among those with acute symptoms of West Nile.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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These include having recurrent lung infections like acute bronchitis or pneumonia, new or worse shortness of breath, a cough that brings up mucus and phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness and fatigue.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The bottom line is downright depressing: short of a direct U.S. military intervention that no serious analyst would contemplate, Trump’s toolkit to will a Ukraine peace deal into existence is bare.—
Daniel DePetris,
Time,
7 Aug. 2025
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Gambling today, however, is a sad and depressing experience, nothing like my dad’s and my Atlantic City adventure.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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