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in dire straits

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in the red adj.
underprivileged adj.

ADJECTIVE

in the red

Synonyms

WEAK

at a loss bankrupt behindhand defaulting delinquent in arrears in debt in hock in the hole insolvent losing money nonpaying to the bad unprofitably

Antonyms

WEAK

in the black

ADJECTIVE

underprivileged

Synonyms

STRONGEST

depressed deprived destitute disadvantaged impoverished indigent needy

WEAK

badly off down and out hapless hard up have-not ill-fated ill-starred in need in want unfortunate unlucky

Antonyms

STRONGEST

prosperous rich wealthy

WEAK

privileged

Example Sentences

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in dire straits

Remember when we all believed that the market would be in dire straits if the megacap tech stocks had a wobble?

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 26, 2026

Though not in dire straits, it isn’t exactly healthy, either.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 21, 2026

Facing a tricky chase of 165 against Pakistan at the Pallekele stadium in Kandy, England could have been in dire straits when they lost Phil Salt first ball of the innings.

From Barron's ● Feb. 25, 2026

Canham-Clyne said Chipotle is not yet in dire straits.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2026

He wasn’t sure if it was because he was in dire straits or because he was beginning to understand that the magic was there for him.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

in dire straits

Example Sentences

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