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

Industrial giant Thyssenkrupp's steel-making business, already in dire straits due to fierce Asian competition, said in a statement to AFP that a "permanently higher gas price would have an impact on production costs".

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

From 91-9, England were in dire straits but, just as they had with the ball, Atkinson and Tongue combined with the bat.

From BBC • Dec. 26, 2025

After all, her next book is a roman à clef about Gala, and writing about a woman who might be in dire straits would be exploitative.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 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

in dire straits

Example Sentences

Related Words