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
Kalshi argues that paying for a geolocation suite would come with dire financial consequences.
—
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Lena Hobbs, 34, said her church joined other local organizations to extend help to servicemembers in dire straights.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a historic bill that paves the way for the construction of more housing—specifically apartments—near busy transit hubs, a move that is expected to alleviate the state’s dire shortage of homes.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Russia is facing dire economic conditions.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Lena Hobbs, 34, said her church joined other local organizations to extend help to servicemembers in dire straights.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a historic bill that paves the way for the construction of more housing—specifically apartments—near busy transit hubs, a move that is expected to alleviate the state’s dire shortage of homes.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Russia is facing dire economic conditions.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
-
Several stories account for the ominous name of the stark, forbidding mountains.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Oct. 2025
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In the del Toro version, the creature played by Jacob Elordi is not terrifying, the director told Entertainment Weekly in September before the film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
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The line occurs when the film’s protagonist, Ripley (Weaver), emerges from an elevator in a giant metal bodysuit, ready to fight a terrifying alien to save a young child.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This was Liverpool in urgent need of a lift after a series of setbacks and a manager looking elsewhere for solutions rather than backing the club’s long-serving match-winner to deliver.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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The shelter was recently 11 dogs over capacity, making his situation increasingly urgent.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These are bleak times, and as fans continue to mourn the club’s decline, West Ham’s hierarchy have shifted their focus to the January transfer window.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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As with many of Burton's best films, the real magic is the nuggets of human profundity hidden within the bleak imagery and whimsical comedy.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Their double life soon gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret begins stealing their fans.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Candyman, the Candyman franchise (1992–1999; 2021) Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) finds out that adoration and horror don't mix when she is faced with the attachment of the sinister Candyman (Tony Todd) in the 1992 film classic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Mesidor has formed a formidable one-two punch on the Hurricanes’ defensive line with Rueben Bain Jr.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
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Jazz In recent years, the pianist Vijay Iyer and the drummer Tyshawn Sorey, defining composers and leaders of contemporary jazz, have become one of its most formidable pairings.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But the interest in the East Wing demolition had been acute enough that a local-news outlet had identified one of the East Wing dump sites—an industrial park in Hyattsville, Maryland.—
Nancy Walecki,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
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The impact is already being felt in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, where UNICEF reports an alarming 11% rise in the number of children with acute malnutrition between January and September this year.—
Rebecca Wright,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And that’s what's so depressing.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
20 Oct. 2025
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His college career has come to an end in a very depressing way.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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