dire

adjective

ˈdī(-ə)r How to pronounce dire (audio)
Definition of direnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dire Warsaw takes a dire view of the Russian threat and has increased its defense spending by almost 300 percent since 2016. — Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026 However, the increasingly dire situation in DR Congo, combined with new research data has resulted in a change of plan. — Victoria Forster, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The herculean effort For residents in a small community known as Rainbow Hill, the outlook is dire. — Megan Schrader, Denver Post, 27 Aug. 2026 That weekend there were dire warnings about extreme heat and wind across the Northwest. — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
  1. ominous
  2. terrifying
  3. urgent
  4. bleak
  5. sinister
  6. formidable
  7. acute
  8. depressing
Adjective
  • His mode of reiteration and attenuation is an ominous portent for the future of fiction.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Once a rare occurrence, the ominous signal is becoming a more regular event thanks to the worsening climate crisis.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • Equally jubilant and terrifying, his size brings both John and Jim Ross to this mythic quality.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
  • He is described as a terrifying figure but also one who is learned and devoted to Shiva.
    — Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • This is becoming more urgent, Azam says, as these disasters become more frequent, but experts lack data to better identify the areas that are most at risk of future disasters like this.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Amol Rajan, the BBC Radio 4 Today show presenter, has called for urgent action to save the UK national broadcaster from an existential emergency.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • Although the news may be bleak for the dinner's thousands of supporters, the committee also shared a glimmer of hope.
    — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In many ways, her life feels like a bleak look at the false promise of placing all of your need for validation in your husband.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • Julia, on the other hand, is forced to return to Castle Leathers and face her sinister husband, Lord Lovat (Tony Curran), who still believes that Julia’s child is his own.
    — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The longtime Adult Swim mischief-maker behind the viral hits ‘Too Many Cooks’ and ‘Yule Log’ specializes in hijacking familiar media formats, revealing the sinister anxieties beneath them.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Their armory is formidable; their cash supply, a source of comic relief.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of formidable
Adjective
  • Latest analysis from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) projects that by the end of 2027, as many as 274 million people worldwide could face acute food insecurity—an increase of approximately 49 million from current levels.
    — , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Her cause of death was reportedly cardiac arrest, with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and status asthmaticus, or severe asthma, listed as contributing conditions.
    — KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • Climate change, depressing and overwhelming, falls into that category.
    — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Keegan’s first decision at Newcastle as manager in 1992 was to fumigate the depressing training ground.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of depressing

Browse Nearby Words

diptychs
dire
direct
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Cite this Entry

“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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