dour
adjective
2
: obstinate, unyielding
… an insistent hunger for learning and a dour … determination to achieve it.—
Walter Moberly
Walter Moberly
dourly
adverb
dourness
noun
Examples of dour in a Sentence
She had a dour expression on her face.
the dour mood of the crowd
Recent Examples on the Web
Viburnum is a great example, adding color and fragrant blooms to the otherwise chilly, dour season.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 2026
Data debate Redfin’s decidedly dour scorecard is controversial among industry gurus who have long defined the buyer/seller battle with curious calculations largely tied to a sales-to-listings ratio.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
After years of dour and dire dramas, the festival rediscovered its funny bone with a lineup that featured broadly appealing comedies.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Everyone is so dour and gloomy in that show.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dour
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Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 29 Jan. 2026
Data debate Redfin’s decidedly dour scorecard is controversial among industry gurus who have long defined the buyer/seller battle with curious calculations largely tied to a sales-to-listings ratio.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026
After years of dour and dire dramas, the festival rediscovered its funny bone with a lineup that featured broadly appealing comedies.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Everyone is so dour and gloomy in that show.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dour
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dour. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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