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 Performance sneaker sales have been a bright spot for growth in an otherwise dour period for the athletic footwear industry. — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 27 Sep. 2026 Circling back to the upbeat pop and rock of Vacation and the dour synth-pop of Beautiful, this artist seems done twisting to find herself and less prone to the sudden adjustments to her persona that made her catalogue spicy. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 Alice Bailey Johnson is a real live wire, a perfect complement to O’Flynn’s more dour Amy. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026 Matt Reeves’ film is also on the dour side, without the genre-mixing playfulness that enlivens its predecessor and sequel. — Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 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
  • Defying the old-school stereotype of the hard-nosed, gruff newspaper boss, Vaughn often mentored young reporters in a serious but friendly and encouraging manner.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Over three decades in stand-up comedy, Bill Burr has gained a reputation for saying, with gruff conviction and political fire, the thing on everyone’s mind.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • The discovery raises the possibility of a grim outcome in the search for the four men, which has led to El Salvador deploying 450 special forces soldiers to Haiti as of Friday to aid the gang-fighting force in the search.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The arc of Bradley Whitford’s career makes for a grim report card on the state of the country.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of grim
Adjective
  • Stuttgart has won both of its games but Atletico Madrid will be sterner opposition for the German team.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Below is Jordan — bearded, stern, and wearing a leather jacket — as Det.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • On their own, the clues in the set are brief and uninformative enough to be a little intimidating.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The Valkyries, meanwhile, have fostered one of the most intimidating home environments at San Francisco’s Chase Center, which the team shares with its sibling NBA franchise, the Golden State Warriors.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of intimidating
Adjective
  • Projects that communities had originally welcomed were suddenly met with fierce opposition, and companies had to improve.
    — Neil Chatterjee, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • What is to come afterwards is when their world is on fire as the fierce Battle Of Okinawa Island takes them , and us, back to sad reality.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Their rugged shape acts as a welcome counterpoint, toughening up outfits with a particular cool girl edge.
    — Nuria Luis, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The headline addition is an external lens attachment that extends the camera's optical reach far beyond what standard rugged handsets offer.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of rugged
Adjective
  • Under Sorrells, morale at the office is bleak and has resulted in an exodus, according to two veteran prosecutors who left the office and spoke on the condition they not be identified.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Yet missing from this bleak picture are the ways that Ukraine has already adapted to escalating attacks.
    — Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of bleak
Adjective
  • About 70% of the members of Brazil’s lower house and 80% of the Senate are considered to be hostile to environmental and climate agendas, according to the observatory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In a turnabout from Orbán’s hostile approach to Kyiv, Magyar’s government has expressed solidarity with Ukraine and designated Russia a national security threat.
    — Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of hostile

Browse Nearby Words

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 27 Oct. 2026.

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