DIRE Synonyms: 251 Similar and Opposite Words

dire

adjective

ˈdī(-ə)r

Definition of dire

as in ominous

being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come a dire forecast of a plunge in stock prices

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in terrifying

causing fear a series of dire tremors that hinted at a huge volcanic eruption

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in urgent

needing immediate attention a dire need for food and medicine in the famine-stricken country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in bleak

causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer with stock prices steadily falling, these are dire days on the trading floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dire One-third of Americans, 33%, say there is a high risk of human extinction due to the growth of AI -- a smaller share than the other risks, but for the most dire of consequences. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The map was based on flood models created by a company called Cobb, Fendley & Associates, which had months earlier outlined a dire scenario to village officials. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 The dire economic conditions resulted in one in four Venezuelans, nearly 8 million people, fleeing the country as refugees, creating a massive migration crisis across the Americas. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 21 Oct. 2026 Cue the depressing rain, dark trench coats, and a dire dystopian dirge because the Blade Runner 2099 trailer is here! — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dire

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dire

Adjective

The film fairly vibrates with ominous tension even in scenes in which seemingly nothing happens.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The horror movie takes place in Vision’s mind-mansion, which Butcherbird has filled with red light, dark shadows, and ominous imagery.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

What started as a routine bike ride home turned into a terrifying fight for survival for Katherine Marroquin on Sunday night.

— Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
In Carroll Gardens, says Cavallo, a house on Henry Street, between Carroll and President, is so terrifying some kids have to cross the street.

— Fiorella Valdesolo, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

Under Sorrells, morale at the office is bleak and has resulted in an exodus, according to two veteran prosecutors who left the office and spoke on the condition they not be identified.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Yet missing from this bleak picture are the ways that Ukraine has already adapted to escalating attacks.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of bleak

Adjective

Feathers McGraw, the sinister penguin villain from the Wallace & Gromit films, also makes a Hitchcockian cameo.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Other examples are more sinister—for instance, the far-right takeover of Croatian Wikipedia, or efforts by corporations to launder their images.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of sinister

Adjective

Looking forward, adding Tesla will simply make a new SpaceX’s huge need for cash far more acute.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
For North Carolina, where our infrastructure recently received a C- from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the need for ongoing federal funding for road and highway improvements feels particularly acute.

— Kevin Blackwell, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of acute

Browse Nearby Words

diptychs

dire

direct

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dire. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of dire

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes