direful

/ˈdaɪərfəl/
adjective
  1. Causing great fear, dread, or suffering; terrible or dreadful.
    • The direful storm destroyed entire villages along the coast.
    • The movie's direful scenes kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
    • She gave a direful warning about the consequences of ignoring the safety rules.
What does "direful" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean