as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a dour prison guard who didn't look like he'd be very understanding
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dour
In 2005, Ghalibaf wore a white suit at some campaign events, apparently to present a more moderate image, in stark contrast to the generally dour fashion sense of most politicians.
—
Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Conversely, a struggling Tatis eventually becomes a dour Tatis.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
After the most joyful and fun performance of several seasons comes the dour Nini.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Porsche had a dour 2025, reporting a staggering 93% decline in operating profit.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dour
Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026
Conversely, a struggling Tatis eventually becomes a dour Tatis.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
After the most joyful and fun performance of several seasons comes the dour Nini.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Porsche had a dour 2025, reporting a staggering 93% decline in operating profit.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
Adjective
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McVay raised some eyebrows Thursday night with his gruff demeanor following the pick of Simpson.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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As previously announced, Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Both are grim readings for a hotel chain playing a volume game.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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Canary Wharf, formerly grim docks and working-class housing blocks in eastern London, has been transformed into a mammoth global commercial center.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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An Ada County judge let a Boise woman who stole jewelry from hospice patients off without prison time — but not without a stern warning and alternative punishment.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Apr. 2026
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When addressing Chasing Horse, Peterson took on a stern tone and admonished the actor and his attorney, Craig Mueller, for denying the charges and downplaying evidence of assault.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If a flip-flop is your go-to, consider these for a less intimidating pick in keeping with your personal style.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2026
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From the scholarly and enlightened to the tough and intimidating, people of all walks of life and cultural backgrounds love a good, thick face of hair.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Along the way, there have been fast times, big doping busts and fierce corporate competition for the fastest humans in history.—
Sara Germano,
Sportico.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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Pre-marketing fight lands in court The fiercest pushback to Compass’s marketing strategy came from Zillow, the country’s largest home-search platform.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fjord country is a rugged aquatic realm where, satisfyingly, ferries are essential to getting around.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
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Natural beauty also shines along the rugged coastline and in the sparkling turquoise waters.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At first glance, AI companions for lonely seniors can seem dystopian, looking less like innovation than a bleak sign of social failure.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
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Things are impossibly bleak for the Rockets, which were without Kevin Durant for the second game this series.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These Knicks still need to close the Hawks out in hostile territory in Game 6.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Extreme recovery conditions The Asse II mine presents a uniquely hostile environment.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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