Crossword Genius

Dreadful rough ride (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dire

'dreadful' is the definition.
('dire' can be a synonym of 'dreadful')

'rough ride' is the wordplay.
'rough' indicates an anagram.
'ride' is an anagram of 'DIRE'.

(Other definitions for dire that I've seen before include "Ominous; very bad" , "Cataclysmic" , "Fearful" , "Dreadful; grim" , "Terrible display" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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