1
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
the stock market crash was the first direful indication of the dark days to come
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in terrifying
causing fear
heard the direful howling of the wolves during the night
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for direful
Adjective
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Thoughts of all the beautiful, mundane, familiar things that make life so sweet had turned sour in my ominous fortune-telling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Sep. 2025 -
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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These shifting climates intimately shaped the biosphere over this span (and vice versa), and in occasional terrifying pulses, threatened to end it.—
Peter Brannen,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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That was a terrifying last four days.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Whatever, Dever quickly recanted her earlier precise testimony to the FBI about the sinister doings by those two dodgy cops behind Karen Read’s SUV.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Haunted Carwash was the sinister concoction of spooky enthusiasts Long Vo and Veronica Young of Huntington Beach.—
Charlie Vargas,
Oc Register,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Rip currents are formidable natural forces, but knowing how to react can significantly increase your chances of safely navigating these challenging waters.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Sep. 2025
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On paper, the American team looked formidable, boasting Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and other stars.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For instance, instead of the menacing roars popularized by Jurassic Park, the instruments often produce gentler conversation sounds, suggesting a social, communicative side to these animals.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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From there, the story is too exciting to reveal, except to say that someone presumed dead makes a menacing appearance.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Can a horrible 17-year-old turn into a 31-year-old person with integrity and empathy?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
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Can a 17-year-old horrible person turn into a 31-year-old person with integrity and empathy?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, there are so much terrible stuff online.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Sep. 2025
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But that obviously terrible call compromised the integrity of that game last night, and that's something the sport should be looking to avoid.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The frightening illness took place just two weeks after he was named MVP of his little league baseball team.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
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As the frightening futures foretold grow nearer, the details are also growing more precise.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Direful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/direful. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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