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 was an older, edgier, and even darker Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) than the dour young girl Christina Ricci made famous in the 1990s.
—
ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025
The short story already is relentlessly dour, but watching, listening, and playing through AM's digital hell is far more unsettling than reading about it.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Evidence of that is how the character's voice has changed from a dour monotone to more of a Rain Man-esque caricature.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
His longtime friend Bernie, slight, dour, and prone to terse stabs at gallows humor, was the deal-maker.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dour
ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025
The short story already is relentlessly dour, but watching, listening, and playing through AM's digital hell is far more unsettling than reading about it.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Evidence of that is how the character's voice has changed from a dour monotone to more of a Rain Man-esque caricature.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
His longtime friend Bernie, slight, dour, and prone to terse stabs at gallows humor, was the deal-maker.
—Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
Adjective
-
The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
The headlines may be grim, but history is generous to those who stay invested.—
John Buckingham,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
His face is grim, lacking the exuberance and devil-may-care attitude visible in earlier paintings.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
And Hannah Waddingham gives a good, stern space-lady as the voice of the Galactic Grand Councilwoman.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
-
Ruud van Nistelrooy put his arm round Amad, who wore a stern expression before going onto the pitch.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Their love and fierce loyalty toward one another is a high point of Season 2.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
-
Johnson’s selection came over the fierce opposition of some of the school’s staunchest supporters, who celebrate FAMU’s legacy of Black excellence, social mobility and cultural pride.—
Kate Payne,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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And on the rugged ninth hole, his tee shot held up in the grass just short of the bunker.—
Doug Ferguson,
Chicago Tribune,
16 May 2025
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The second webcam will cover the rugged cliffs where puffins, guillemots, razorbills, shags, and various species of gull typically gather.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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The latest Email Threat Trends Report from VIPRE paints a bleak picture.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Related article Putin just called Trump’s bluff on Ukraine, with the Russian art of the ‘no’ deal Ukraine in 2025 is a bleak prospect.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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In places where higher education was all but a miraculous dream, the act of reading can be intimidating, exclusionary, not to mention unaffordable for people who spend their days working two to three jobs and twelve-hour shifts.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
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Hussain has a friendly, reassuring presence, making the already-simple recipes even less intimidating.—
Katie Rife,
EW.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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And Marguerite did actually manage to live there for years, scraping together a life on the hostile tundra.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2025
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And this is a very hard-line government that has taken a kind of hostile view of everybody in the region.—
Obed Manuel,
NPR,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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