dire desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dire desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express an intense or urgent longing for something. Example: "Her dire desire to travel the world pushed her to save every penny she could."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're brilliantly assembled, brutally effective, airtight machines of plot and observation in which ordinary weaknesses and desires have inevitably dire consequences.

The New York Times

His obvious frustration paired with a sense of desperation came to the fore this week when he criticised his team after the dire 3-0 loss at Lyon. "Without desire, it is difficult to win.

The Guardian - Sport

The believers portray themselves as having no conflicts-of-interest and motivated purely by their desire to avert a dire public health disaster.

Forbes

A driver's license, in turn, expands the social possibilities exponentially, and these, in turn, create a dire need for cash, which means an intense desire to earn money even as all the other distractions mount.

The New York Times

It is also unlikely that Manager Joe McCarthy of the Yankees asked Lou to step down, for McCarthy was extremely fond of Gehrig and appreciated his desire to keep playing, even in such dire circumstances.

The New York Times - Books

Cameron's dire warning about the euro in part reflects a desire to explain that the continued problems in Britain's main export markets had led the UK last week to slip back into recession.

The Guardian

John Wallace offered a hand off the bench but the return of Marcus Camby after a six-week absence failed to provide the desired jolt for a Knick team in dire need of a life preserver.

The New York Times - Sports

Failure to observe sustained desired adherence threshold has been associated with dire consequences such as treatment failure, disease progression and emergence of drug resistant HIV/IADS strains [ 14, 15].

BMC Infectious Diseases

On the other hand, the consequences can be dire when we don't bridge the gap between teens' increased desire to take risks and their still-immature control systems.

University of California, Berkeley

But Marx's dire straits, Wheen explains, were due in no small part to his desire to keep up appearances.

The New York Times - Books

Drawing on the Andersen tale of the same title, it follows a young girl whose insistent desire to dance in a pair of red shoes has dire consequences.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "intense yearning" or "urgent craving" if you want to soften the tone or avoid the slightly dramatic effect of "dire desire".

Common error

Avoid using "dire desire" in situations where a simple "strong desire" or "great need" would suffice. The phrase is best reserved for scenarios with high stakes or significant potential consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dire desire" primarily functions as a noun phrase that describes a strong and urgent want or need. "Dire" intensifies "desire", indicating a crucial or desperate longing. Ludwig examples show it often relates to situations with significant consequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dire desire" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a strong and urgent need, often implying potential negative consequences. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the phrase is relatively uncommon. Its primary function is to emphasize intensity, and it is most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedia sources. For a less dramatic tone, alternatives like "intense yearning" or "urgent craving" can be used. Remember to reserve the phrase "dire desire" for contexts where the intensity of the longing is truly significant to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperate longing

Emphasizes the desperation associated with the desire.

intense yearning

Replaces "dire desire" with synonyms emphasizing the depth of longing.

urgent craving

Substitutes "desire" with "craving" to highlight the compelling nature of the need.

aching want

Conveys a sense of emotional pain associated with the desire.

powerful aspiration

Uses a more formal term, "aspiration", to soften the intensity.

overwhelming need

Shifts the focus from desire to the critical necessity of something.

burning ambition

Implies a strong drive towards a specific goal, adding direction to the desire.

acute need

Focuses on the critical and immediate nature of the requirement, rather than the longing.

consuming passion

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of the desire.

inescapable impulse

Suggests a desire that cannot be avoided or suppressed.

FAQs

How can I use "dire desire" in a sentence?

You can use "dire desire" to describe a very strong and urgent need or want, often one that implies potential negative consequences if not fulfilled. For example: "Her dire desire to escape poverty drove her to work tirelessly."

What can I say instead of "dire desire"?

You can use alternatives like "intense yearning", "urgent craving", or "overwhelming need" depending on the context.

Is "dire desire" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "dire desire" is not a frequently used phrase. Alternatives might sound more natural in everyday conversation. See also "desperate longing".

What is the difference between "dire desire" and "strong desire"?

"Dire desire" implies a greater sense of urgency, desperation, and potential negative consequences compared to a "strong desire". It suggests that the need is critical and possibly life-altering.