direful

English

Etymology

dire +‎ -ful

Adjective

direful (comparative more direful, superlative most direful)

1. inspiring fear; fearful, terrible

   Quotation

   • 1603-06: "As whence the sun gins his reflection, shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break," — Macbeth: Ac.1 Sc2, Wm. Shakespeare.

2. portending disaster; portentous; ominous

Synonyms

• dire