direst

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urgent; crucial adj.
terrible, ominous adj.

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

beautiful blessed bright cheerful cheering comforting encouraging fortunate good happy hopeful joyful light lucky pleasant pleasing sunny wonderful

WEAK

nice trivial unimportant

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.

See Examples For:

direst

Chris Young grew up in Clarksville, Tenn., in the direst imaginable circumstances — unimaginable, in fact, to many of us.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

A recent drought saw the three direst years on record, which dropped reservoirs around the state to dangerously low levels and prompted mandatory rationing and even caused some hydroelectric power plants to shut down.

From Seattle Times ● May 16, 2024

This is an ancient and nearly universal idiom that resurfaces, in different forms, in different places, and at different times, in the direst of circumstances.

From Salon ● May 4, 2024

Unison's head of local government Mike Short said town halls were in the "direst of states".

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2023

“I hate having to do this again. Ella, sorry you're involved. Only supposed to use it under the direst of circumstances.”

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton