dire risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dire risk" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or circumstance that is extremely dangerous or damaging. Example: The government's decision to ignore the warnings of experts has put the country at dire risk of economic collapse.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"As a result of their return, they are at dire risk".

The Guardian

He invoked the dire risk faced by tens of thousands of South Vietnamese, including those affiliated with the United States.

The New Yorker

The report came a day after Donald Trump said he did not believe his own administration's latest report warning about the dire risk of inaction on climate change.

The Guardian

Each of the shelter representatives said they coordinated with city police and emergency medical personnel when they encountered a person at dire risk.

The Guardian

And Republican polling has found that Mr. Trump is at dire risk of losing Georgia, according to people briefed on the polls, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The New York Times

Air pollution poses a dire risk to Iranians today.

Ecological Processes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

None of the other dire risks of staycation ever came to pass.

The New York Times

Congress recognized that whistleblowers face dire risks of retaliation and costly legal expenses by even consulting with an attorney about allegedly illegal activity by their employer.

Columbia University

Indeed, compared with the same period in 2006, current expenditure decreased in absolute value during the first ten months of 2007.Tommaso Padoa-SchioppaMinister of economy and financeRomeExtreme sportsSIR – I am guessing that those Norwegians who jump off cliffs for fun would not take such dire risks if they had to pay for hospital treatment ("Human lemmings", December 22nd).

The Economist

WASHINGTON — The world economy will face slower but less volatile growth in the coming months and years, the World Bank forecast on Wednesday, as dire risks from the financial crisis in Europe fade and emerging economies confront new challenges adapting to softer commodity prices and the prospect of rising interest rates.

The New York Times

Most climate scientists believe that global warming does indeed pose dire risks — and there is no science-based opposition today along the lines of Simon's 1970s allies, with a substantial number of top economists or other researchers among its ranks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dire risk" when you want to emphasize that the potential negative consequences are severe and far-reaching.

Common error

Avoid using "dire risk" in situations that do not genuinely involve a high degree of danger or negative consequence. Overusing it can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dire risk" functions as a noun phrase, where "dire" modifies the noun "risk". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes a situation of extreme danger. The phrase is used to emphasize the severity of the potential negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12.5%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

2.5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dire risk" is used to describe situations where the potential negative outcomes are extremely serious. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using "dire risk", emphasize the severity and far-reaching consequences to maximize its impact. Alternatives include "grave danger", "serious threat", and "extreme hazard". Remember to reserve this powerful phrase for scenarios that genuinely warrant its strong connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave danger

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential consequences of the danger.

serious threat

Focuses on the potential for harm or damage posed by something.

extreme hazard

Highlights the intensity and potential for harm of the hazard.

severe jeopardy

Implies a state of being at great risk or peril.

critical peril

Underscores the urgency and potential for disastrous outcomes.

acute vulnerability

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or damage.

imminent catastrophe

Suggests that a disastrous event is likely to occur soon.

pressing danger

Emphasizes the urgency and need for immediate attention.

considerable hazard

Highlights the significant and noteworthy nature of the hazard.

substantial threat

Points out the large or significant nature of the threat.

FAQs

How to use "dire risk" in a sentence?

Use "dire risk" to describe situations where the potential negative outcomes are extremely serious. For example: "Ignoring climate change puts coastal cities at "dire risk" of flooding".

What can I say instead of "dire risk"?

You can use alternatives like "grave danger", "serious threat", or "extreme hazard" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "dire risk" or "dire risks"?

Both are correct, but "dire risk" typically refers to a general condition, while "dire risks" might refer to specific instances of potential harm. Consider the context to determine the best choice.

What's the difference between "dire risk" and "serious risk"?

"Dire risk" implies a higher level of severity and potential for catastrophic consequences than "serious risk". Use "dire" to emphasize the extreme nature of the threat.