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
The forecast for central Indiana starting this week is looking on the damp and dour side, according to the National Weather Service, which predicts thunderstorms and showers Monday through Wednesday.
—
John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 May 2025
Kings owner Vivek Ranadive sat courtside, arms folded with a dour expression on a night his team trailed by as many as 26 points.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025
CEOs have increasingly shared their dour prognostication of AI’s impact on the future of work and the latest diagnosis came from Jim Farley, the CEO of automaker Ford.
—John Kell, Fortune, 9 July 2025
The vote against Trump is not going to be the salve that cures her dour numbers.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dour
John Tufts, IndyStar, 19 May 2025
Kings owner Vivek Ranadive sat courtside, arms folded with a dour expression on a night his team trailed by as many as 26 points.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025
CEOs have increasingly shared their dour prognostication of AI’s impact on the future of work and the latest diagnosis came from Jim Farley, the CEO of automaker Ford.
—John Kell, Fortune, 9 July 2025
The vote against Trump is not going to be the salve that cures her dour numbers.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
Adjective
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Bill Pogue’s family and friends knew him as a thoughtful, deeply sensitive man, despite his reputation as a gruff, stern, wildlife officer.—
Jim Zumbo,
Outdoor Life,
17 July 2025
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Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Then Pike makes another grim discovery: a desiccated human leg.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
31 July 2025
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The hunger alert and the new death toll are grim milestones in a conflict that began almost two years ago when Hamas attacked Israel, sparking an offensive that has laid waste to much of the enclave and ignited hostilities across the region.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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But she and the remaining Storm family members are swept up into an inheritance game – her father’s last wish, organized by her father’s stern, handsome right-hand man.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
31 July 2025
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Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images With the matchup looming large as the 2025 season continues to draw closer, one of Rodgers' former teammates on the Jets has spoken out with a stern warning to him.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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In the barrios of the American Southwest, chola girls perfected their look with dark lip liner, oversized flannels, and nameplate earrings, styling themselves with fierce precision that both declared loyalty and warded off erasure.—
Alexandra Jane,
Essence,
31 July 2025
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In the last few years, fierce controversies have often been sparked by commercials, with commentators seemingly viewing ad campaigns as the battleground for a never-ending culture war.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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The Cyclades are famed for postcard-perfect sunsets—while Crete offers rugged gorges and myth-laden palaces.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
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Made from rugged canvas, the shell will last a lifetime.—
Christopher Murray
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Morale among agency staff is bleak, according to one CDC official who spoke on the condition that they not be named for fear of reprisals.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
31 July 2025
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Many people were concerned about their financial situation, as the overall economic outlook was bleak.—
Rocky Sharma,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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Recently, Altra added low drop shoes to its offerings, which can be less intimidating that flat, zero-drop shoes for beginners.—
Lauren Wingenroth,
SELF,
25 July 2025
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Being diagnosed with a rheumatic disease is a life-altering experience that can feel overwhelming and intimidating.—
Chloe Castleberry,
Flow Space,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Five days later, on July 8, an attorney for the city manager submitted a letter of potential claim against the city citing defamation, harassment and creation of a hostile work environment.—
Anita Edmondson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 July 2025
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In early October 2022, the ruling said, McCarty filed a hostile work environment complaint with the police department.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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