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 rate increases are needed to help avert a dire situation for more than 2.8 million policies issued by State Farm, including 1 million homeowners, the letter states.
—
Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025
In his final presidential address on Jan. 15, Biden delivered a dire warning against the dangers of big tech and a social media landscape without a fact-checking.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
As Congress debated, top Ukrainian officials warned about a dire shortage of artillery shells, saying at one point that Kyiv’s forces were out-shelled 10 to 1.
—Erin Banco, Anastasiia Malenko, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
Despite the rebels' assurances, the situation in the mineral-rich North Kivu region appears dire, with the U.N. estimating that over a third of the province's population is already displaced.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for dire 
Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025
In his final presidential address on Jan. 15, Biden delivered a dire warning against the dangers of big tech and a social media landscape without a fact-checking.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025
As Congress debated, top Ukrainian officials warned about a dire shortage of artillery shells, saying at one point that Kyiv’s forces were out-shelled 10 to 1.
—Erin Banco, Anastasiia Malenko, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
Despite the rebels' assurances, the situation in the mineral-rich North Kivu region appears dire, with the U.N. estimating that over a third of the province's population is already displaced.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 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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Meanwhile, Irving spent the night venturing off on his own, falling asleep in the forest with terrifying hallucinations.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
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In its place is the Terran Empire, a brutal and colonizing force that encapsulates the terrifying darkness of this alternative world.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
7 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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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
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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
Adjective
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Beyond the enormous needs of the skyrocketing number of war wounded, hundreds of thousands of people with acute and chronic illnesses were left with limited or no access to medicine and treatment.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC News,
2 Feb. 2025
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The threat of Russian drones is so acute, artillery units can be reached when the sun tips into the horizon, and the light is vanishing.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
2 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 21 Feb. 2025.
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