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
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
Then Vincent disappears, and Jérémie finds himself at the center of a police investigation and being eyed suspiciously by the locals, including a dour, snooping priest (Jacques Develay); a stolid, schlubby ex-farmer named Walter (David Ayala); and Vincent’s wife, Annie (Tatiana Spivakova).
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Did Clay dream this white woman up, or is this dour manic pixie dream girl only a literary device, the movie itself dreaming, whose attention-getting silhouette is also meant to call attention to her own artifice as a writer’s creation?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 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
See All Example Sentences for dour
Alicia Wallace and Matt Stiles, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
Then Vincent disappears, and Jérémie finds himself at the center of a police investigation and being eyed suspiciously by the locals, including a dour, snooping priest (Jacques Develay); a stolid, schlubby ex-farmer named Walter (David Ayala); and Vincent’s wife, Annie (Tatiana Spivakova).
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
Did Clay dream this white woman up, or is this dour manic pixie dream girl only a literary device, the movie itself dreaming, whose attention-getting silhouette is also meant to call attention to her own artifice as a writer’s creation?
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 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
See All Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
Adjective
-
Simultaneously punched out, yet refusing to stay down for the count, a gruff Smith does his actorly best to understand, then diss, his public’s view of the slap heard round the world.—
A.D. Amorosi,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
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In a gruff voice, Fino speculated about what besides the mushroom might have caused the disease.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Americans hold more favorable views of Republicans than Democrats, even as favorability remains grim across the board, according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
3 Apr. 2025
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While in jail, Dean bonds with Zoro, a grim and mysterious teenage prisoner serving time for murder.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Fifteen games have passed since, cementing Deepdale as one of the sternest away trips in the English Football League.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Subplots like his minority investment in the sleazy nightclub The Snakehole Lounge afforded him the opportunity to showcase a stunning variety of little coats, unlike Scott, whose stern and straight-laced state auditor Ben Wyatt seemingly never changes into anything less formal.—
Ryan Coleman,
EW.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Jackson estate explicitly wanted nothing about Chandler in the film, so fact that the allegations do appear has led to a fierce internal dispute and extensive reshoots, Deadline has confirmed.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2025
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The sky-high prices caused fierce backlash against Ticketmaster, the country’s biggest ticketing website and concert promoter, from lawmakers who accused the company of acting as a monopoly.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This ceramic vase has a rugged, natural matte texture and measures 14.4 inches high, so it’s bound to be a statement piece on your table, mantle, etc.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
28 Mar. 2025
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Average or above skaters who can make plays and contribute to the rugged side of the game.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The coming-of-age story finds a new generation of young women in Gilead, grappling with the bleak future that awaits them.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
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Stocks had sold off sharply last Friday, amid growing uncertainty on U.S. trade policy and a bleak inflation outlook.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Being invited to speak to a group of leaders—whether peers, senior executives or cross-functional stakeholders—can feel both exciting and intimidating.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Liston was famous for being ill-tempered and intimidating.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Andreas typically waits until there have been three instances of potential hostile communication before asking her friend or colleague if everything is OK.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 Mar. 2025
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Home to one of the world’s largest refugee populations – most of them from Afghanistan – Pakistan has not always welcomed the foreigners, subjecting them to hostile living conditions and threatening deportation over the years.—
Sophia Saifi,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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