dire
1
extremely serious or urgent
- The humanitarian crisis in the region has reached dire proportions, requiring immediate international intervention.
- The company faces dire financial difficulties and may soon go bankrupt.
- Without immediate medical attention, the patient's condition could become dire.
- The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly dire, with rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
- The lack of clean water in the village poses a dire threat to public health.
2
provoking intense fear or anxiety due to its severity or seriousness
- The villagers were warned of the dire consequences of ignoring the approaching storm.
- She faced a dire situation when she lost her passport in a foreign country.
- The dire warnings about the pandemic urged everyone to take immediate precautions.
- His dire predictions about the economy caused widespread panic.
- The survivors recounted their dire experiences during the natural disaster.
3
having a very low quality, often to the point of being unbearable or disappointing
- The concert was dire, with out-of-tune singing and technical issues.
- The food at the restaurant was dire, and we couldn't finish our meals.
- The movie received dire reviews from critics and audiences alike.
- His performance in the play was dire, and the audience was visibly disappointed.
- The hotel's service was dire, with rude staff and unclean rooms.
4
suggesting or warning of serious trouble, danger, or disaster
- The dire warnings about the storm prompted everyone to seek shelter.
- The scientist's dire forecast about rising sea levels alarmed the public.
- The king dismissed the dire omens, only to face defeat in battle.
- The doctor's dire prognosis left the family devastated.
- The report painted a dire picture of the economy's future.