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
Through it all, Stanley smirks, Criss chuckles, and Simmons maintains his dour demeanor.
—
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The plans show defense spending next year would stay largely static, and would be funded with tax hikes amid increasingly dour growth forecasts.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Upstairs, the primary suite feels more boutique hotel than dour Tudor manor, with dual dressing rooms, a rolltop bath, and even a private yoga studio.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
Still, the overall picture of the labor market remains dour for many Americans, especially the nearly 2 million people who have been searching for jobs for at least half a year.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dour
Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
The plans show defense spending next year would stay largely static, and would be funded with tax hikes amid increasingly dour growth forecasts.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Upstairs, the primary suite feels more boutique hotel than dour Tudor manor, with dual dressing rooms, a rolltop bath, and even a private yoga studio.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2025
Still, the overall picture of the labor market remains dour for many Americans, especially the nearly 2 million people who have been searching for jobs for at least half a year.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
Adjective
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Patterson was hired in a guest role as the gruff diner owner with a heart of gold, Luke Danes.—
Anika Reed,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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Burr plays a gruff American record-store owner who convinces a ragtag gang of teenage misfits that their best, and possibly only, chance to lose their virginity before graduating high school is at a massive open-air mass for the visiting Pope.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That’s a grim prospect—but then, in Venezuela, yesterday’s grimmest prospects become tomorrow’s headlines with dreadful regularity.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
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Controversy follows Cheney While Cheney's disposition was never particularly sunny, critics assailed the vice president as a relentlessly grim figure.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
On Academy Street, taken over by Dominicans, the Fourth translated into a jubilant handful of families and neighbors on each stretch of sidewalk, with speakers, folding chairs, and beer bottles at the foot of stern buildings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
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The boat can easily accommodate a dozen guests, thanks to the abundant seating, including a rear-facing lounge at the stern and bow lounge.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Kingpin is one of its offerings this year, an intimidating V-8 monster that makes over 800 horsepower and is blacked out.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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The podcast is meant to do some of the bedtime planning for parents, taking an intimidating task off their plate.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In intra-party diplo-speak, that was about as fierce a burn as can come from the party’s central committee.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
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The city’s fierce weather pattern is fueled by the same Arctic air mass expected to sweep through the eastern two-thirds of the US this week.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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And, importantly, that now-familiar reliable, rugged push.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
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For instance, it is equipped with a four-wheel independent drive system, providing maximum mobility across complex and rugged terrain.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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When everything looks bleak, a woman holds it up victoriously.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
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New York — US stocks closed lower Thursday as concerns mounted about expensive tech stocks, and a risk-off sentiment spread through markets after new data showed a bleak outlook for the job market.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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There are guns, horses, ghosts, a primal struggle for survival in hostile terrain, family feuds and a steadily intensifying sense of mortal threat, as Old Porch’s ambition and psychopathy escalate the drama.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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Fire department suffering low morale When Washington was fired, City Manager Sheryl Long blamed him for creating a hostile work environment for female firefighters and for failing to improve the department's workplace culture.—
Aaron Valdez,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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