dour

dour

adjective \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