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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
While a cause of death hasn't yet been disclosed, a 911 call from the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office, obtained by Fox News and OutKick, painted a grim picture.
—
Zach Dean, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
The original Mistborn trilogy is set on the grim planet of Scadrial and framed around a mysterious prophecy and powerful allomancers who can wield metals to perform magic.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 23 May 2026
Yet just a few months earlier, the Russian president’s fortunes were rather grim.
—Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026
Despite the grim prognosis, Georgie couldn’t shake the feeling that her father would hold on until her birthday arrived.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Zach Dean, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026
The original Mistborn trilogy is set on the grim planet of Scadrial and framed around a mysterious prophecy and powerful allomancers who can wield metals to perform magic.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 23 May 2026
Yet just a few months earlier, the Russian president’s fortunes were rather grim.
—Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026
Despite the grim prognosis, Georgie couldn’t shake the feeling that her father would hold on until her birthday arrived.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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Her ex, Karl (Jake Johnson, impressively devoid of his signature gruff charm), wants to move their adorable daughter, Hazel (Nola Wallace), from New York to Boise with his new partner, Mallory (Jessy Hodges), a polished grown-up who makes the bohemian Paula feel like a mess.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
20 May 2026
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But the grizzled former Man in Black and man-who-failed-to-ground-Maverick isn’t known for playing the type of gruff ol’ cowpoke who’s about to break into song.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
The table tells a harsher story.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
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The girls’ mother, who traveled to appear in court Thursday with Doe 8, called for a harsh punishment and described how O’Connor, once in Idaho, helped sneak out Doe 8 to see her son, at one point provided them a hotel room.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Notre Dame’s dominance has been highlighted by relentless fundamentals and limited errors, the perfect antidote to Syracuse’s free-flowing and occasionally careless approach.—
Tribune News Service,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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So maybe we’re not burned out on a massive scale, beaten down by relentless bad news and struggle.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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Their twiggy legs and bony frames exposed in bathing suits, the kids do indeed look extra vulnerable within the film’s savage landscape.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
25 May 2026
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Sure, sci-fi can be bleak — there's no end to the cosmic horrors and savage alien races that game developers can conjure up — but that almost always comes as a result of humanity's success in space.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
She could then be seen looking down at her phone, wearing a stern expression as Springer and the Jays celebrated.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
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Jansa, a supporter of Israel, also has been a stern critic of the Golob government’s 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Management has partly attributed the membership slowdown to tougher comparisons from a year earlier, but there’s more to the story.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
28 May 2026
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The California Assembly on Thursday overwhelming voted in favor of a bill that would prohibit children under 16 years old from having a social media account, setting up what is likely to continue to be a tough battle over the coming months.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Ukraine’s two anti-corruption agencies have been so determined to win the fight against graft that theft on that sort of scale is no longer possible.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
24 May 2026
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Shannon said that after learning Powell’s story, they were determined to reconnect him with his family and document his journey.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion whose ferocious, hard-hitting style of play angered opponents and sometimes overshadowed his prodigious skills and ability to deliver in the biggest games, has died after taking his own life, according to authorities.—
Stephen Whyno,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
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Despite the ferocious domestic rivalries, the Tartan Army is considered among the world’s friendliest football fans, known for singing and mingling instead of brawling (even if only while their national team is playing).—
Laura Dannen Redman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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