direful

adjective

dire·​ful ˈdī(-ə)r-fəl How to pronounce direful (audio)
Synonyms of direfulnext
1
: dreadful
… direful war began again …—Charles Dickens
2
: ominous
direfully
ˈdī(-ə)r-fə-lē How to pronounce direful (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of direful

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Examples of direful in a Sentence

the stock market crash was the first direful indication of the dark days to come heard the direful howling of the wolves during the night

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of direful was in 1565

Browse Nearby Words

Dire Dawa
direful
direly
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Cite this Entry

“Direful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direful. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

direful

adjective
dire·​ful ˈdī(ə)r-fəl How to pronounce direful (audio)
1
: causing great fear : dreadful
2
: foretelling bad things to come
direfully
-fə-lē How to pronounce direful (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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