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
The plot kicks off when the Reverend Mother (a delightful Olivia Colman), who runs the Home for Retired Bears, pens a dire message to Paddington about his beloved Aunt Lucy.
—
Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2025
This looming financial burden is a significant part of the Saints' dire cap situation, with the team projected to be $54.1 million over the cap—by far the worst in the NFL.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
The district is in dire need of additional revenue, according to a recent financial report from the watchdog group the Civic Federation that did not rule out the potential for budget cuts.
—Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
That dire budget picture prompted Cutrer, Sonoma State’s interim president, to propose cancelling 23 degree programs by the end of this school year, including philosophy, economics, modern languages, physics, theater, dance, geology, women and gender studies.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dire 
Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2025
This looming financial burden is a significant part of the Saints' dire cap situation, with the team projected to be $54.1 million over the cap—by far the worst in the NFL.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 13 Feb. 2025
The district is in dire need of additional revenue, according to a recent financial report from the watchdog group the Civic Federation that did not rule out the potential for budget cuts.
—Ikram Mohamed, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2025
That dire budget picture prompted Cutrer, Sonoma State’s interim president, to propose cancelling 23 degree programs by the end of this school year, including philosophy, economics, modern languages, physics, theater, dance, geology, women and gender studies.
—Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
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There’s the ominous sense that the monkeys lurking around the resort might just be the same ones wielding swords in the frescoes.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2025
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Those recall notices referred to a permanent solution without specifying what that might be—something that could be read as ominous or hopeful.—
Eric Bangeman,
Ars Technica,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His first book, Dark Days vividly and unflinchingly chronicled his terrifying experience being jailed on charges of manslaughter (he was acquitted on all counts).—
Bill Kopp,
SPIN,
20 Feb. 2025
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For those who have watched DOGE storm into their workplace, what is perhaps most terrifying is its attempts to scale.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Despite differing political approaches, one thing is clear: New Mexico is facing an urgent crisis, and leaders across the political spectrum will need to find common ground to prevent further loss of life while navigating around Trump's plans to carry out large-scale mass deportations.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
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Kevin Lamarque/Reuters A federal judge in Washington Monday appeared inclined to deny an urgent request to temporarily block Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency from firing employees or accessing sensitive records at half dozen federal departments.—
Mike Levine,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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But bleak and uncertain as things seem right now, Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred does not want to lose Tampa Bay, the No. 11 media market, which is why the hope is for a deep pocket owner (or owners) from Tampa to emerge and the Tampa stadium plan near Ybor City can be revived.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
8 Feb. 2025
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Suicide is pretty bleak for a Super Bowl spot, and mental health, in general, is a sensitive topic.—
Matthew Pittman,
The Conversation,
6 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Her decision to give her baby up for adoption exposes the sinister dealings of Dagmar Overbye (Trine Dyrholm), the female Danish serial killer whose true-life murder of dozens of children in the 1910s inspired the film.—
Brande Victorian,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Feb. 2025
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The instrumental is decidedly sinister, and his vocals sound eerily similar to Michael’s.—
Matthew Ismael Ruiz,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Driving the news: Berger has successfully staved off challengers for more than two decades, but Page could prove to be a formidable primary opponent should the two face off next year.—
Lucille Sherman,
Axios,
14 Feb. 2025
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In any case, Spanberger could be a formidable opponent.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even against the background of the L.A. carnage, Australia’s experience is undeniably more acute.—
Charlie Campbell / Melbourne and Canberra,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
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Polymicrobial infections are acute and chronic diseases that can be caused by a combination of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, according to the US National Insititutes of Health.—
Antonia Mortensen,
CNN,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Whether the Nationals pitching staff can hold up, healthy and effective in an incredibly difficult division, is another pressing question — with a depressing answer: probably not — but at least the bats will be worth watching.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
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Listen to this article Super Bowl parties are on the rise this year thanks to the need to decompress from a most depressing start to 2025, along with the rising cost of packages at bars and restaurants.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dire
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
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