dour

adjective

ˈdau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce dour (audio)
Definition of dournext
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance a dour prison guard who didn't look like he'd be very understanding

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dour Nonetheless, the disconnect between these bullish numbers and consumers’ dour mood is real. — Michael Foster, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 Grumpy and dour George I, who predominately spoke German and little English despite being an English king, despised his heir, George Augustus. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026 Apocalyptic, yeah, but never dour — more like a call to arms. — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026 The dour feeling that this book produces is the exact opposite of the invigorating excitement that Scorsese conveys when discussing movie magic. — Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
  1. gruff
  2. grim
  3. stern
  4. intimidating
  5. fierce
  6. rugged
  7. bleak
  8. hostile
Adjective
  • Matt Damon plays Odysseus as a gruff, practical tactician, rather than an energetically inventive and morally dubious schemer.
    — Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
  • The New Zealander drew international acclaim for roles as gruff loners and unhinged villains.
    — Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 13 July 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • Judging from this album, a lot of grim topics have taken up residence there.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Wasp was a welcome breath of fresh Marvel air after the grim finale of Infinity War, but that’s not enough to justify its entry into the top 20.
    — EW Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of grim
Adjective
  • Most include a warning of no refunds and a stern caution to know the limits of one’s own taste buds—something too many poor souls choose to ignore.
    — Ellen Fort, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026
  • There’s also hints of vulnerability and genuine tenderness in her stern headmistress of the bedroom, which Wilde slips in just slyly enough to let the presence of a heart peek through all the brainy brashness and hormone overload.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • The lower gravity might make that somewhat less intimidating, but the waves will also move more slowly as well, feeling downright eerie compared with Earth’s.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2026
  • The design may also feel less intimidating than a rigid robotic frame.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of intimidating
Adjective
  • Management tried to modernize a restaurant brand built around nostalgia, underestimated how strongly customers identified with its image, and eventually reversed the change after a fierce backlash.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The jostling grew particularly fierce between South Carolina and Nevada.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • In Zamora province near the Portuguese border, more than 20 ground and aerial units guarded the perimeter of the Fermoselle fire against flare-ups in the rugged Arribes del Duero landscape.
    — Elena Becatoros, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The rugged Atlantic Coast, forests, and historic towns await retirees in the Northeast.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of rugged
Adjective
  • Eventually, a gun-free compromise was found, though the opening act of the movie would remain surprisingly bleak and emotionally complex.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Some of them are orphans or runaways, and so the environment is pretty bleak.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • The extraordinary allegation offers a window into the waning days of an increasingly hostile primary race to replace Kelly, who has enjoyed broad popularity throughout her eight years in office.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
  • The company has faced workplace and labor complaints, including allegations of racial discrimination and hostile conditions in warehouses.
    — Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Definition of hostile

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do up
dour
dourly
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Cite this Entry

“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of dour for Spanish Speakers

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