What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
desperate
Example
She was desperate for a job and applied to every company she could find. [desperate: adjective]
Example
The refugees were in desperate need of food and shelter. [desperate: adjective]
Example
He made a desperate attempt to save his failing business. [desperate: adjective]
dire
Example
The country is facing a dire economic crisis. [dire: adjective]
Example
The patient's condition was so dire that immediate surgery was necessary. [dire: adjective]
Example
Ignoring climate change could have dire consequences for future generations. [dire: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Desperate is more commonly used than dire in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts and can refer to a person's emotional state. Dire is more specific and often used in formal or written contexts to describe a serious or critical situation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between desperate and dire?
Dire is generally considered more formal than desperate, as it is often used in written or formal contexts to describe a serious or critical situation.
