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Showing results for in dire straits. Search instead for Indica strains.

in dire straits

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

By the time President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated in March 1933, the nation was in dire straits.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2025

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