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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dire
The situation was so dire that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian even suggested people may need to evacuate the capital.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
Gaza, which lies in ruins, is enduring a harsh winter, with heavy rain and plunging temperatures worsening already dire living conditions.
—CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
The unrest began last weekend as business owners voiced frustration at the dire economic conditions in the Islamic Republic.
—CBS News, 2 Jan. 2026
With Palace in dire need of options, a relatively versatile forward who is 24 is an excellent signing, particularly in the immediate term.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
-
Episodes are bound together by banal introductory voiceover, in which our narrator recites ominous clichés that, like everything in His & Hers, border on parody.—
-
More ominous still is the thought of the FanDuel mentality extending into other areas of American life.—
Adjective
-
Humans could suddenly step into a box, perhaps hear gears grind, and then exit the box on a different floor—and even as safety features were innovated, that was terrifying.—
-
Madigan's character, the elderly aunt of several of the students, became a cult favorite, both terrifying and delighting audiences.—
Adjective
-
And there is another urgent area requiring our attention.—
-
The administration’s enthusiasm to improve America’s health has real, urgent promise.—
Adjective
-
Her family later learned that on April 23, 2021 — the day Parker found his aunt in a bleak mood — Dee had an angry confrontation over financial issues with two employees of the trucking company.—
-
Some of Tarr’s most memorable scenes feature landscapes, often bleak and despairing settings of decaying Hungarian towns, punctuated with close-ups of characters’ faces.—
Adjective
-
Smallwood, less innately sinister as a performer, turns the part into a slow burn.—
-
If Park’s film begins as another lament for our layoff-laden modern world, the South Korean director soon introduces a sinister twist.—
Adjective
-
The service Aside from a formidable restaurant and spa, the service sets this hotel apart from other country boutiques in Sicily.—
-
The hardy parasite is also highly attuned to threats and responds with formidable defense mechanisms — prolonging a treatment process that’s already months to years long and often fraught with other hurdles and pain.—
Adjective
-
While these changes will impact the country as a whole, the effect here in Indiana could be particularly acute, environmentalists say.—
-
On January 5, less than one week after Tatiana died at just 35 years old of acute myeloid leukemia on December 30, Jack honored her with several moving quotes—including one from Tatiana herself.—
Adjective
-
In the story, there is a lot of comedy that naturally arises from tragic moments, from dark, depressing moments.—
-
This is par for the course, because conversations are confusing, even depressing.—
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share