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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dour
This made the dour tone of the Wall Street Journal profile of the studio’s chief, Pete Docter, which was published this past Friday and got widely shared on social media, feel slightly surreal.
—
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Porsche had a dour 2025, reporting a staggering 93% decline in operating profit.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
But the evening was anything but dour, and most of the color over the course of the night came from the stage.
—Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
For those in the crowd, the mood was dour.
—Dan Mangan,garrett Downs,spencer Kimball,megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dour
Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026
Porsche had a dour 2025, reporting a staggering 93% decline in operating profit.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
But the evening was anything but dour, and most of the color over the course of the night came from the stage.
—Jake Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Mar. 2026
For those in the crowd, the mood was dour.
—Dan Mangan,garrett Downs,spencer Kimball,megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
Adjective
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As Liborio, an orphan who risked his life to cross the border and ended up living in the attic of a bookstore thanks to the kindness of the gruff owner, Chief (Eddie Marsan), the actor plays a narrator who consistently breaks the fourth wall.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
18 Mar. 2026
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As Woody Harrelson detailed Harrison Ford's accomplishments from the Actors Awards stage, the famously gruff actor seemed to squirm in his seat, somehow uncomfortable with praise even at the age of 83.—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Indeed, young women like Alyoshka’s bride may be looking at a grim future, in which their husbands, in accordance with tradition, have the right to ignore or even beat them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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Can this industry get any more grim?—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Some of the movie is an acid satire of pre-wedding rituals — like the first dance that Charlie and Emma are dutifully rehearsing for, with a ridiculously stern taskmaster of a coach.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
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Born in Michigan, Tolkan served in the Navy before studying at the Actors Studio, eventually becoming Hollywood’s go-to stern authority figure for decades.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As played by John Lithgow, Dahl is an intimidating physical presence, and, as if on the playground, uses this looming quality, along with a facility for language, to intimidate anyone around him.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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As trendy as the weight room might be these days, the world of barbells and dumbbells can be a pretty intimidating place.—
Jennifer Heimlich,
SELF,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Nothing except getting into fierce arguments with fellow-Jews, some would say, which Olitzky—who has a round, boyish face and a conciliatory manner—portrayed as a privilege rather than a burden.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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With one-of-a-kind offerings from the likes of Inglenook, Crocker & Starr, Amici Cellars, Peju, Long Meadow Ranch, and a collaboration between Dakota Shy and Detert Family Vineyards, bidding was fierce on Cabernet Franc.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These mid-cut boots deliver, with reliable waterproofing, EVA foam for comfort, and a rugged outsole for go-anywhere durability.—
Lisa Jhung,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
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From sleek business-ready designs with built-in charging ports to rugged hiking companions that can weather any adventure, there’s never been a better time to invest in a quality travel backpack.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What’s great about Grayson’s story is that things were looking pretty bleak before the Bananas rolled into town about a decade ago.—
AJ Willingham,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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The future looks bleak for non-power conferences and uncertain for Big East, Big 12 and ACC, too.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The paratroopers are trained to jump into hostile or contested areas to secure key territory and airfields.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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However, Iran’s UN Mission said in a post on X that ‘non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to or associated with other states’ may obtain ‘safe passage’ through the Strait of Hormuz via coordination with Tehran.—
Joseph Wilkins,Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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