1
as in gruff
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
a grim and desolate landscape a grim and short-tempered shopkeeper who didn't exactly invite friendly conversation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in harsh
difficult to endure
this winter is supposed to be particularly grim, so stock up on firewood
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3
as in relentless
showing no signs of slackening or yielding in one's purpose
with grim determination, the woman worked three jobs to put her fatherless children through college
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4
as in savage
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
grim warriors heading into battle
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grim
The show has been hailed for its infectiously fizzy twist on the usually grim true crime genre — and much of that pop appeal, naturally, is carried by the show’s music.
—
Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
In recent months, Israel has brightened a grim geopolitical landscape by battering Iran and its proxies.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The grim anniversary comes with Ukraine facing great uncertainty about its future after President Donald Trump pivoted toward Russia and US officials insisted that Europe can no longer rely on Washington for its defense.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025
Previous assessments already painted a grim picture, with a third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras classified as threatened with extinction.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Feb. 2025
In recent months, Israel has brightened a grim geopolitical landscape by battering Iran and its proxies.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
The grim anniversary comes with Ukraine facing great uncertainty about its future after President Donald Trump pivoted toward Russia and US officials insisted that Europe can no longer rely on Washington for its defense.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025
Previous assessments already painted a grim picture, with a third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras classified as threatened with extinction.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
-
The gruff but beloved Hackman was among the most accomplished actors of his generation, appearing as villains, heroes and antiheroes in dozens of dramas, comedies and action films from the 1960s until his retirement in the early 2000s.—
Susan Montoya Bryan,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Ford’s actually relatively locked-in as the gruff but supportive Colonel Graff training the impressionable Ender (Asa Butterfield), who has to save the universe as all lads in these types of films tend to do.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Each of our pieces is a symbol of resilience, proving that creativity can thrive even under the harshest circumstances.—
Gemma A. Williams,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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The Patriots are paying for potential more than immediate production, so the F grade feels harsh.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The relentless pushing reaches a point of questioning.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The post, which unexpectedly went viral in January for reasons that Meli does not know, questions ambition's place in modern life, portraying it as a relentless force driven by capitalism and social conditioning rather than genuine fulfillment.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
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The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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Lilian laughed, but Dr. Fenton remained stern, only nodding at Lilian’s understanding.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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Waves of anti-Tesla and Elon Musk protests ripple throughout Bay Area Related Articles With few options, Bay Area Democrats in Congress oppose Trump with stern letters, town halls and protest California’s first zero-emission car mandates are coming.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Schneider wants to take calculated risks in free agency, but that can be tough to do when Seattle is one of many teams needing interior offensive upgrades.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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Another really tough stretch is ahead for the Heat.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But the guard has pushed through and is determined to help Phoenix make a last-ditch effort for a playoff run.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
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At a time when women were not allowed to wrestle professionally, this dream seems far-fetched, but Burke is determined to succeed.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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After a ferocious campaign from fans, Disney+ brought the series back—initially a Netflix original from 2015 to 2018.—
H. Alan Scott,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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But a mysterious force is stopping their return and the time-traveling TARDIS team must face great dangers, ferocious enemies and wilder terrors than ever before.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
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