dire
143
6.9
- adjective
- /ˈdaɪər/
- The longer we wait, the more dire our needs become.
- dire consequences
- in dire straits
- a dire situation
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Watch on YouTubeThe longer we wait, the more dire our needs become.
- The longer we wait, the more dire our needs become.
- And since it's gotten even more dire, you've seen it in the news.
- They had been painting abolitionists as dire threat to the social order.
- You know, that's, that's a fairly dire predicament.
- Lighting is in dire need of of an upgrade.
- This is the most dire warning I have ever seen to Congress.
- You know, these people live in and live in dire, excruciating circumstances.
- You never talk about what you do ever, or there will be dire consequences.
- Or or divide human civilization or have dire geopolitical consequences.
- Like this is, this is so dire that she really, really needs some help.
- Did you ever send a text to the wrong person with dire consequences?
- I mean, unless we can do that, it does become a very dire situation.
- So it's a pretty dire, dire situation.
Examples
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We're learning the dire cost to civilization when diplomacy fails.
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Statistics about students' lived experiences in schools describe a dire environment of bullying.
Academic text (2015) -
So it's a pretty dire, dire situation.
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Yeah, people, things are really dire in India right now.
-
See, things in Central America are dire right now.
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This is the most dire warning I have ever seen to Congress.
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Consider a film project in dire need of money for production.
Academic text (2017) -
You never talk about what you do ever, or there will be dire consequences.
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I think back to the Amazon rainforest and the dire situation of its Indigenous peoples.
Academic text (2008) -
The community was in dire need of assistance after the devastating storm.
Synonyms
∞
2.0
Important and needing careful thought because it can have large effects
577
3.5
Very strong and harmful, often causing great damage
309
2.9
Very important and needing action right away
248
3.0
Causing someone to feel afraid
200
5.5
Causing great fear or shock
154
4.1
Taking big risks because there are no other options
134
3.7
Very bad and unpleasant, often causing fear or shock
129
4.6
A very serious situation where someone may not survive
79
7.0
Very shocking and scary, causing fear or disgust
58
1.1
Very frightening and causing fear or dread
54
4.2
Causing great fear or worry
39
5.0
Very serious and needing immediate attention
34
4.8
Very frightening and likely to make people afraid
27
1.0
So frightening that people feel afraid
20
2.9
Causing strong fear and worry
1
9.9
Causing great fear or showing terrible danger
Antonyms
Compounds
How Serious
Surface Forms
Etymology
Dire comes from the Latin word dirus, which meant 'dreadful' or 'ominous'. So a dire situation is one that is very serious, causes great fear, or needs quick action.