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
Veen has seen the dire predictions about the 2025 Rockies.
—
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
The following month, the presidents of Prospect’s Connecticut hospitals warned the governor that the financial situation at all three hospitals was dire.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2025
By gobbling up offensive boards on 36.8 percent of their possessions — the 13th-best rate nationally, per KenPom, in the same ballpark as conference champions St. John’s and Houston — the Spartans help mitigate their dire 3-point shooting.
—Cj Moore, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The rapid improvement of the technology has been accompanied by dire warnings that A.I. could soon automate away millions of jobs — and software developers have been singled out as prime targets.
—Steve Lohr, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
The following month, the presidents of Prospect’s Connecticut hospitals warned the governor that the financial situation at all three hospitals was dire.
—Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2025
By gobbling up offensive boards on 36.8 percent of their possessions — the 13th-best rate nationally, per KenPom, in the same ballpark as conference champions St. John’s and Houston — the Spartans help mitigate their dire 3-point shooting.
—Cj Moore, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The rapid improvement of the technology has been accompanied by dire warnings that A.I. could soon automate away millions of jobs — and software developers have been singled out as prime targets.
—Steve Lohr, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire
Adjective
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But by reciting the proposal again and again, Trump might be setting in motion very real—and extremely ominous—consequences for the West Bank and the entire region.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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The historian Janis Mimura saw something more ominous: a new, proactive union of industry and governmental power, wherein the state would drive aggressive industrial policy at the expense of liberal norms.—
Kyle Chayka,
The New Yorker,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The harsh environment, mostly devoid of human presence, feels almost terrifying in its vastness—but that feeling quickly gives way to awe and excitement.—
Dobrina Zhekova,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
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The terrifying incident unfolded Saturday morning, shortly after the Boeing 767 lifted off from its runway at Newark Liberty Airport.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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While industries across the board are struggling with labor shortages, the energy sector’s challenge is uniquely urgent.—
Brynn Cooksey,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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One senior British military official and a former U.S. official said while military and defense-focused officials embroiled in security debates feel the urgent need for increasing defense spending, this had not trickled down to the ordinary person in several NATO countries.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The picture looks bleak in the U.S. and in France the company is entering receivership.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2025
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The tiny graves at one end of the orphanage compound are a bleak reminder of what a future without USAID might look like for the children.—
Nicholas Komu,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Deepfakes first attracted attention for its use in making fake celebrity pornographic films, but their uses have subsequently evolved to more sinister reasons.—
Rohan Pinto,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Columbia Pictures When Bobbie also suddenly transforms, Joanna discovers that her best friend has been replaced by a robot—along with all the other wives—and realizes the sinister forces at work in Stepford are coming for her next.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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JPMorgan said the stock is at an attractive entry point with lower expectations and a formidable path for growth.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2025
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The exec has formidable experience across the live-action and animation spheres as well as family fare.—
James Hibberd,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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For transition-age foster youth—those aging out of the foster care system—this challenge is even more acute.—
First Place for Youth,
Forbes,
3 Mar. 2025
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Saint Elizabeth in Chicago was also part of the deal, but Ascension previously announced plans to close the hospital, which sits on the city’s West Side, has 28 beds and treats acute mental illness.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That depressing fact gets reiterated many times, without much variation or additional insight, during Running Point’s 10-episode season.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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In this new techno-dating reality, the number of fights sparked by clothes being left on the floor would dramatically decrease, instead being replaced by not-at-all depressing scenes of men standing alone in their apartments talking to a speaker.—
Nic Juarez,
Vulture,
19 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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