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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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
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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
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Unlike Western cleansers, which often rely on harsh surfactants or astringent ingredients, Korean ones maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and natural pH balance, says Cho.—
Denise Primbet,
Glamour,
28 Feb. 2025
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Her lyric vocal writing contends with harsh reality, but her style is never far from profound rapture.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The relentless pushing reaches a point of questioning.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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For years, Instagram felt like a slow grind — a marathon of incremental growth where only those with industry connections or relentless consistency had a real shot at building an audience.—
King Holder,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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Ties during Trump’s first term One of the hallmarks of the first Trump Administration was a tougher stance towards China compared to his predecessors, through tit-for-tat tariffs and an Indo-Pacific strategy that aimed to curb Beijing’s growing influence in the Western Pacific.—
Chad de Guzman,
TIME,
27 Feb. 2025
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How to Bet Timberwolves vs. Lakers Following up a game like Tuesday's would be tough for the Wolves under any circumstances, but with Edwards battling a calf injury and DiVincenzo potentially sidelined, beating the Lakers in L.A. will be that much more difficult.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 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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Jones, still vigorous at seventy-two, moves through space with ferocious intent while conjuring stories from the past: early dance sensations, tense interactions with the legendary Ailey, and clashes with critics who tried to box him in as a Black artist.—
Shauna Lyon,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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Friction point: Community groups like the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Franklin Park Defenders have been ferocious in opposing the revamp, questioning the cost, traffic and the loss of a public asset to a private interest.—
Mike Deehan,
Axios,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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