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
And yet, articles on Ramadan food in America are often dour and boring.
—
Zahir Janmohamed, Bon Appétit, 13 Mar. 2025
The retailer issued a dour fourth-quarter report marked by a 74 percent drop in net income, which fell to $48 million from $186 million in the year-ago period.
—David Moin, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
That outlook was somewhat dour in part because inventory remains low and mortgage rates are expected to stay above 6% for at least the next two years.
—Alicia Wallace and Matt Stiles, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
During the workshop of Smash (Broadway version), the show ended on an extremely dour note, which audiences hated.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dour
Zahir Janmohamed, Bon Appétit, 13 Mar. 2025
The retailer issued a dour fourth-quarter report marked by a 74 percent drop in net income, which fell to $48 million from $186 million in the year-ago period.
—David Moin, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025
That outlook was somewhat dour in part because inventory remains low and mortgage rates are expected to stay above 6% for at least the next two years.
—Alicia Wallace and Matt Stiles, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
During the workshop of Smash (Broadway version), the show ended on an extremely dour note, which audiences hated.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
Adjective
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This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In April, 2004, Phish played a series of exceptionally grim shows in Las Vegas.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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This latest escalation is a grim reminder: Russia was and remains the aggressor, in blatant violation of international law.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Ars Technica: One of the most visually arresting images from James Cameron's blockbuster film Titanic was the ship's stern sticking straight up out of the water after breaking apart from the bow.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 Apr. 2025
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Leeds also drive some of the sternest vitriol along opponents’ terraces.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Battle of Okinawa lasted 82 days, with fierce fighting on land and sea.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The documentary follows the story of Ángel, a charismatic boy with fierce love for his Guarani roots and a vision for his Paraguayan hometown of Nanawa.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Premiering April 20 on Nat Geo and streaming April 21 on Disney+ and Hulu, the three-part series is a visual triumph made possible by engineering grit, field science, and the kind of rugged tech innovation typically reserved for space exploration.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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Unveiled at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, this futuristic machine is built to handle rugged terrain with ease, combining cutting-edge robotics and sustainable energy.—
Fox News Staff,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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All of these episodes have different types of endings: There’s bleak to total cliffhanger to sentimental.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Apr. 2025
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Some practical frameworks and strategies enable leaders to maintain stability, foster engagement, and position their teams for success even when the economic outlook appears bleak.—
Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While the prospect of facing Augusta National’s treacherous greens under major championship conditions would be overwhelmingly intimidating for most amateur golfers, McDermott is a unique case, to say the least.—
Erik Matuszewski,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
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Rory McIlroy commented on the missing trees on ten, apparently making the tee shot less intimidating — and that there is a little more room on the par-four third right side given the missing overhanging trees.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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John Shine described to me a research trip to the hostile mountain environs of Tasmania, where snakes stay under cover except for the 20 or 30 warm days each year.—
Stephen S. Hall,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
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Union members shared other experiences and stories, including those of an increasingly hostile work environment for some.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
19 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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