dour
adjective
ˈdau̇(-ə)r 
ˈdu̇r
ˈdu̇r 1
: stern, harsh
a dour expression on her face
2
: obstinate, unyielding
an insistent hunger for learning and a dour … determination to achieve it
Walter Moberly
Walter Moberly3
: gloomy, sullen
a dour disposition
dourly adverb
dourness noun
Synonyms
- austere
- fierce
- flinty
- forbidding
- grim
- gruff
- intimidating
- lowering
- louring
- rough
- rugged
- severe
- stark
- steely
- stern
- ungentle
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She had a dour expression on her face. the dour mood of the crowd
Recent Examples on the Web In contradiction to Rachmaninoff’s public image as a dour spirit, his late scores have a cosmopolitan veneer and a sly, ironic tone. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Various instances include collisions with other cars, collisions with bike riders, and other dour incidents. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 Critics of moving to a closed primary believe the system will lead to voter suppression during an election that is already experiencing dour turnout. Sarah Swetlik | Sswetlik@al.com, al, 13 Aug. 2022 Snap executives largely pinned the dour performance and outlook on a rapid pullback among advertisers, who are tightening their purse strings amid a period of economic uncertainty. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 22 July 2022 Morgan Stanley’s revenue from investment banking plummeted as capital markets seized up, underlining a slow quarter for Wall Street as a dour outlook for the economy muddles the path forward. BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 But a Republican congressman, Representative Chris Jacobs, sounded a more dour note. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 9 June 2022 In clumsier hands, such subject matter might result in monotonously dour pieces of fiction. Omar El Akkad, The Atlantic, 9 Aug. 2022 Wall Street has struck an increasingly dour tone over the past few weeks, and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is no exception, saying earlier this month that the chances of the U.S. economy avoiding a recession stood at only 33%. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 May 2022 See More
Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Various instances include collisions with other cars, collisions with bike riders, and other dour incidents. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 13 Aug. 2022 Critics of moving to a closed primary believe the system will lead to voter suppression during an election that is already experiencing dour turnout. Sarah Swetlik | Sswetlik@al.com, al, 13 Aug. 2022 Snap executives largely pinned the dour performance and outlook on a rapid pullback among advertisers, who are tightening their purse strings amid a period of economic uncertainty. Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 22 July 2022 Morgan Stanley’s revenue from investment banking plummeted as capital markets seized up, underlining a slow quarter for Wall Street as a dour outlook for the economy muddles the path forward. BostonGlobe.com, 14 July 2022 But a Republican congressman, Representative Chris Jacobs, sounded a more dour note. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 9 June 2022 In clumsier hands, such subject matter might result in monotonously dour pieces of fiction. Omar El Akkad, The Atlantic, 9 Aug. 2022 Wall Street has struck an increasingly dour tone over the past few weeks, and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is no exception, saying earlier this month that the chances of the U.S. economy avoiding a recession stood at only 33%. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 24 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin durus hard — more at during
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
dour
adjective
ˈdau̇r
ˈdu̇r
: looking or being serious and unfriendly
a dour old man
a dour expression
dour
adjective
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
Relevance
- gruff
- grim
- stern
- intimidating
- fierce
- bleak
- rugged
- hostile
- forbidding
- stark
- severe
- austere
- flinty
- steely
- somber
- rough
- lowering
- cold
- ungentle
- dark
- hardened
- louring
- stubborn
- moody
- solemn
- black
- resolute
- morose
- unfriendly
- determined
- unsympathetic
- gloomy
- glum
- mulish
- stiff
- inhospitable
- cheerless
- joyless
- sullen
- melancholy
- steadfast
- obdurate
- unflinching
- humorless
- unrelenting
- implacable
- adamant
- obstinate
- rigid
- unsmiling
- uncompromising
- inimical
- bound
- unbending
- melancholic
- brooding
- sulky
- intent
- purposeful
- unyielding
- surly
- serious
- inflexible
- firm
- hardheaded
- resolved
- staid
- willful
- immovable
- fixed
- sombre
- hard
- unchangeable
- immutable
- set
- sober
- wilful
- weighty
- grave
- self-willed
- ironhanded
- sobersided
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mild
- gentle
- bland
- benign
- meek
- mellow
- cheerful
- soft
- benignant
- quiet
- soothing
- tender
- pleasant
- tranquil
- bright
- sweet
- easy
- agreeable
- mirthful
- lighthearted
- sunny
- merry
- pleasing
- nonintimidating
- happy
- goofy
- silly
- inviting
- playful
- glad
- frivolous
- giddy
- flighty
- scatterbrained
- harebrained
- featherbrained
- light-headed