Crossword Genius

Terrible funeral song not good (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dire

'terrible' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'funeral song not good' is the wordplay.
'funeral song' becomes 'dirge' (I've seen this in another clue).
'not' is a deletion indicator.
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'dirge' with 'g' removed is 'DIRE'.

(Other definitions for dire that I've seen before include "Very serious indeed" , "Really dreadful - ride on" , "Of very poor quality" , "Terrible display" , "Terrible; urgent" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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