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dire

dire

 
 
pronunciation:
daIr
features:
Word Combinations (adjective)
part of speech: adjective
inflections: direr, direst
definition 1: causing, likely to cause, or involving terror or suffering.
She knew the situation was dire when she saw him slip under the ice.The family was in dire circumstances after losing their farm.
synonyms:
dreadful, fearful, frightful, horrible, terrible
similar words:
atrocious, awful, dread, fearsome, ghastly, grievous, grim, harrowing, horrendous, horrid, unspeakable
definition 2: warning of misfortune or calamity.
The radar shows a dire outlook for those craft still out at sea.
synonyms:
alarming, ominous
similar words:
grave, grim, ill-fated, sinister, warning
definition 3: extreme or desperate.
Victims of the earthquake were in dire need of medical care.
synonyms:
critical, desperate, extreme, severe, terrible
similar words:
dangerous, fearful, grave, urgent, vital
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: direly (adv.), direness (n.)