dour

dour

adj \ˈdu̇r, ˈdau̇(-ə)r\

Definition of DOUR

1

: stern, harsh

2

: obstinate, unyielding

3

: gloomy, sullen

— dour·ly adverb

— dour·ness noun

Examples of DOUR

1. She had a dour expression on her face.
2. the dour mood of the crowd

Origin of DOUR

Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DOUR

Synonyms: austere, grim, fierce, flinty, forbidding, gruff, intimidating, lowering (also louring), rough, rugged, severe, stark, steely, stern, ungentle

Antonyms: benign, benignant, gentle, mild, nonintimidating, tender

Related Words: bleak, cold, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, unfriendly, unsympathetic; adamant, bound, determined, firm, intent, purposeful, resolute, resolved, steadfast, unflinching; fixed, hard, hardened, hardheaded, immovable, implacable, inflexible, ironhanded, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, rigid, self-willed, set, stiff, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful); immutable, unchangeable; black, cheerless, dark, gloomy, glum, joyless, melancholic, moody, morose, sulky, sullen, surly; brooding, grave, humorless, melancholy, serious, sober, sobersided, solemn, somber (or sombre), staid, unsmiling, weighty

Near Antonyms: bland, meek, mellow, soft, soothing; easy, quiet, tranquil; agreeable, bright, cheerful, inviting, pleasant, pleasing, sweet; glad, happy, lighthearted, merry, mirthful, sunny; featherbrained, flighty, frivolous, giddy, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, playful, scatterbrained, silly

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