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Definitions

dire

[dahyuhr] / daɪər /
ADJECTIVE
urgent; crucial
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acute critical desperate drastic extreme
WEAK
burning clamant clamorous climacteric crying exigent immoderate imperative importunate instant pressing
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm mild unimportant
WEAK
fortunate good lucky nice trivial
ADJECTIVE
terrible, ominous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
alarming appalling awful calamitous cataclysmic catastrophic depressing disastrous dismal distressing dreadful gloomy grim horrible lamentable shocking ugly unfortunate
WEAK
afflictive black cruel deplorable fearful fierce frightful grievous heartbreaking horrid oppressing portentous redoubtable regrettable ruinous scowling terrific woeful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blessed bright cheerful cheering comforting encouraging fortunate good happy hopeful joyful light lucky pleasant pleasing sunny wonderful
WEAK
nice

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.

For anyone facing potentially dire medical results or other nerve-racking ambiguities, the waiting is the hardest part.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

RH’s stock fell 23% after fourth-quarter results missed expectations, with the CEO citing the “most dire housing market in decades.”

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

In video presentation late Tuesday, CEO Gary Friedman highlighted tariffs, global discord amid the Iran war and “the most dire housing market in decades” as creating an environment of heightened uncertainty.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Levy: With every character, at the beginning of this show, I’m thinking, how can we exacerbate the dire circumstances that crime would rub up against?

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

By December 9, the hospital staff have given Theo a dire prognosis.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.