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
Riboua painted a slightly more dire picture of the juntas, arguing that the combination of ethnic uprisings and JNIM’s strategic approach has turned the threat to the three countries existential.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
What Olga has made clear, even through rough translations, are the dire conditions she’s faced in prison.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 10 May 2026
The situation on the Colorado River has rarely been more dire than in this moment.
—Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 10 May 2026
Under previous leadership, Intel’s numbers — three years of losses and revenue down 33% from a 2021 peak — were not painted as dire, according to Chandrasekaran.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for dire
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 10 May 2026
What Olga has made clear, even through rough translations, are the dire conditions she’s faced in prison.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 10 May 2026
The situation on the Colorado River has rarely been more dire than in this moment.
—Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 10 May 2026
Under previous leadership, Intel’s numbers — three years of losses and revenue down 33% from a 2021 peak — were not painted as dire, according to Chandrasekaran.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
-
Also, as the only foreigners present in significant numbers, the North Koreans sent an ominous message about the current state of Russia’s alliances.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
For most people, the idea of ceding control to a robot is out there at best; downright terrifying at worst.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 May 2026
-
One of those terrifying moments happened on a public stairwell.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
There were also objections from bigger carriers such as United, which had an urgent financial interest in seeing the back of a pesky cheap competitor.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
Pay attention to what feels sustainable, not just urgent.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
The job market is showing intermittent signs of recovery after a bleak 2025.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
The outlook appeared so bleak that Alexey Miranchuk gestured to the heavens and said, if the team could acquire help from a higher power and get a road win, maybe the ship could be steered in the right direction.—
Amna Subhan,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
These forces would collide on the Near West Side on a spring evening, against the backdrop of labor unrest, union activity and a hint of influence from a sinister anarchist movement.—
Michael Peregrine,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
-
In terms of all-time hero's journeys, his is up there, from his humble beginnings on Tatooine to learning of his sinister dad to becoming a Jedi master to sacrificing himself to help the Resistance.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Last month, despite Orbán’s formidable, long-standing attempts to rig the legal and electoral systems in his favor, Magyar won, in a stunning upset.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
Stockton, who formed a formidable tandem with fellow Jazz superstar Karl Malone, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
When Danh was initially hospitalized overseas on April 9, doctors diagnosed her with acute liver failure, among other serious health issues.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
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So that may be kind of the most acute pain point for travelers, but the summer storms are still going to be coming.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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Because what could be more depressing than just passively watching the world burn and melt and crumble?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
This level of security is a depressing necessity in modern-day Britain.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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