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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dour
Sauer’s optimism seems almost to be intended as a rebuke to the dour ideal of intellectual seriousness that runs from such canonical thinkers as Arthur Schopenhauer in the nineteenth century to Theodor Adorno in the twentieth.
—
Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Of the nearly 6 in 10 concerned about starting their careers, most (63%) cite stiff competition for jobs as their reason for their dour outlook.
—Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Despite the dour setting, just seeing one of the many film versions or reading the story again evokes feelings of warmth, generosity and Christmas cheer.
—Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
This is also the main theme of the new Paramount+ drama The Agency, which has an all-star cast, but also confusing plotting and an almost oppressively dour tone.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dour 
Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Of the nearly 6 in 10 concerned about starting their careers, most (63%) cite stiff competition for jobs as their reason for their dour outlook.
—Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Despite the dour setting, just seeing one of the many film versions or reading the story again evokes feelings of warmth, generosity and Christmas cheer.
—Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
This is also the main theme of the new Paramount+ drama The Agency, which has an all-star cast, but also confusing plotting and an almost oppressively dour tone.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dour
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dour
Adjective
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The track resonates with Belinda’s crystalline vocals, dynamic guitar riffs, and spirited trumpet interplays, while Tito’s distinctively gruff delivery adds grit to their musical escapade.—
Ingrid Fajardo,
Billboard,
17 Jan. 2025
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Resolved to continue on her trip for the sake of her son, Sara finds herself in a perilous situation, and is forced to lean on the elusive Issac Reed (Taylor Kitsch), a gruff recluse who lives on the outskirts of Ft. Bridger.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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An incomplete pass on a fake punt on the first possession of the second half gave the Buckeyes the ball at the Notre Dame 33, only adding to the grim outlook.—
Charles Odum,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Jan. 2025
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Thanks to the air pollution caused in large part by fossil fuels, 7 million people around the world die early each year, and that grim tally includes hundreds of thousands of Americans.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The collision — and the flouting of the flight restriction by others — prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a stern warning against flying drones near wildfires.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2025
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Many in government won’t want to face stern judgments from an independent outsider.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Ben Vaughn, one of the most consequential publishing executives in Music City and a fierce advocate for songwriters, died suddenly Thursday.—
Nate Rau,
Axios,
30 Jan. 2025
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Bottom line By about five minutes into Zuckerberg’s prepared remarks, one thing was made perfectly clear: The fierce intensity he’s picked up in the octagon has made its way to the boardroom.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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How to merge the modern electric lifestyle with the outdoorsy, rugged ethos that defines Jeep as a brand, alongside the more recent addition of the internal-combustion Grand Wagoneer SUV's enormous luxury.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
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Anchorage, Alaska The rugged wilderness of Anchorage, the most populous city in Alaska, is proving to be a magnet for Gen Z travelers.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The big picture: New data shows bleak economic conditions in Europe, especially relative to the U.S. The eurozone economy did not grow at all in the final months of 2024.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
30 Jan. 2025
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New national test scores show a bleak picture of American education in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Kayla Jimenez,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Restaurants are making wine lists shorter and less intimidating.—
Alexis Soloski,
New York Times,
17 Jan. 2025
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GTs are known to be big, cumbersome and heavy – often a little intimidating for the experienced and inexperienced riders alike.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, she was hounded out of the classroom by authorities hostile to Western literature.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2025
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Last year, Trump's predecessor Joe Biden fired the inspector general of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, after an investigation found the official had created a hostile work environment.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dour
Cite this Entry
“Dour.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dour. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
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