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
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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
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There’s a gruff lyricism to the performance that’s entrancing even when Elmer is standing up in a coffin.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Sitting in on India press conferences can often be a bit grim, carefully orchestrated by the team's hierarchy and little is usually given to their hungry press corps.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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India claims to have targeted militant infrastructure, but the reality is grim: at least 26 Pakistani civilians -including women and a young child were reported killed in the strikes.—
Faisal Kutty,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The president shared no caption alongside the image, which depicts him sitting with a stern expression and holding up one finger while wearing white and gold papal attire, including a large cross necklace.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
3 May 2025
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However, none will have criminal records after their cases are adjudicated, under a deal the district attorney offered during a stern press conference on Tuesday.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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Tehran claims its program is peaceful but has threatened fierce retaliation and a possible withdrawal from the nonproliferation treaty if its nuclear sites are attacked.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2025
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The old model of fierce independence is a luxury many can't afford during this transition.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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That won’t necessarily solve the spacing issues on the offensive end, but Looney is often Kerr’s counter in rugged environments and could help shore up the defensive issues that are becoming more troubling.—
Anthony Slater,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
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Nestled against a mountainside in the rugged Alatau region surrounding Almaty, Kazakhstan, Mazhitova’s home is indeed singular, bringing to mind the cavelike villas designed by maverick French architect Jacques Couëlle in the 1950s and ’60s, or the rustic dwellings of Tolkien’s Middle-earth.—
Amy Bradford,
Architectural Digest,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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This bleak vision of Hollywood makes for a fascinating backdrop.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
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The wildest thing about these bleak anti-meet cutes is that no one does this on purpose.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Adding to her distress was her struggle with social anxiety, which made the idea of spending long hours with acquaintances and distant relatives even more intimidating.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
1 May 2025
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Not just last year’s numbers with an extra 20% thrown on top, but something truly inspiring, maybe even a little intimidating?—
Ryan Brinkhurst,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s aggressive targeting of major law firms, many of which have advocated liberal policy positions and clients, also marks a striking new front in his second-term legal battles, as the administration pressures firms seen as politically hostile or unwilling to back its agenda.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
3 May 2025
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Russia will accrue enormous economic benefits if the United States facilitates its reentry into the world economy, generating revenue that will go directly to rebuilding its military, funding hostile intelligence operations and propping up a regime that’s never far from its next military adventure.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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