Dire

Meaning

extremely serious; urgent; terrible

Extremely serious or urgent.

Example Sentences

The country is facing a dire economic crisis.

The refugees were in dire need of food and shelter.

Example Expressions

dire straits

Synonyms

terrible, awful, dreadful, urgent, desperate, grave, severe

Entry 1

terrible, awful, dreadful, urgent

Entry 2

urgent, desperate, grave, severe, dreadful

Antonyms

hopeful, encouraging, positive, mild, minor, trivial, unimportant

Entry 1

hopeful, encouraging, positive, mild

Entry 2

minor, trivial, unimportant

Collocations

dire consequences, dire situation, dire need, dire warning

Entry 1

dire consequences, dire situation, dire need

Entry 2

dire consequences, dire situation, dire warning, dire need