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Definitions

dire

[dahyuhr] / daɪər /
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
blessed bright cheerful cheering comforting encouraging fortunate good happy hopeful joyful light lucky pleasant pleasing sunny wonderful
WEAK
nice

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.

It is easy to forget the dire situation Newcastle were in when the defender joined the club little more than four years ago.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

To be sure, recent economic data have not been so dire.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

The outlook for the longer term was also dire.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

“It’s really hard. Fundraising is dire right now for folks doing the work we do.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Living with his divorced mom and two sisters in one Montana town or another, sometimes in dire poverty, Jesse always felt like an outcast.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.