Terrible rough ride! (4)

I believe the answer is:

dire

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

'rough ride' is the wordplay.
'rough' is an anagram indicator.
'ride' anagrammed gives 'DIRE'.

(Other definitions for dire that I've seen before include "Extremely serious or urgent" , "Ride around can be calamitous" , "Disastrous" , "Ride in dreadful state" , "Really dreadful - ride on" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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