Despite the dire tones, the accompanying actions by the Administration today were rather mild.

Books by authorities, television programs, and magazines dispense conflicting advice in dire tones.

Brenna spoke in dire tones as Darcy dashed out of the room.

Oddly, given the dire tone of the report, Mr. Running seems a rather buoyant, hopeful guy.

"You might as well call the goddess by name," said Lord Siegfried in dire tones.

From behind, the same voice said, with dire tones, "To me, all futures are past."

This last observation, voiced in dire tones, apparently summed up the crew's protests.

It was the curse," he added in dire tones.

The computer again, in a dire tone: "Warning: Station is now beyond safe shutdown velocity.

"Pay heed," she said in a dire tone.