direful

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.

As Sumner proclaimed, “in the holds of those two ships were concealed the germs of the present direful war.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

I always say there is something direful in that sound.'

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2014

Sure, if by dangerous you mean significantly riskier than cars but slightly less direful than motorcycles.

From Slate • Sep. 3, 2014

Pliny the Elder, writing in the first century AD, called them prophetic, direful and accursed.

From The Guardian • May 25, 2013

But at this direful moment she who had awakened no compassion in mortals or immortals was pitied by the tiniest creatures of the field, the little ants, the swift-runners.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton