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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of grim
The victims' families may find some closure in the jury's decision, though the grim details of the case continue to resonate in the community.
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Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Along the way, water is getting cleaner and land is becoming more climate resilient, even as the political outlook in the United States looks grim for the climate.
—Joseph Lee, Vox, 26 Nov. 2024
Despite the grim findings in the report, the U.N.'s Mingeirou says some countries have also seen incremental progress in protecting women and girls.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024
Commentators speculated that numerous suppliers in the car industry would inevitably have to slash salaries in an already grim job market in the new year.
—Juliana Liu, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grim 
Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024
Along the way, water is getting cleaner and land is becoming more climate resilient, even as the political outlook in the United States looks grim for the climate.
—Joseph Lee, Vox, 26 Nov. 2024
Despite the grim findings in the report, the U.N.'s Mingeirou says some countries have also seen incremental progress in protecting women and girls.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 25 Nov. 2024
Commentators speculated that numerous suppliers in the car industry would inevitably have to slash salaries in an already grim job market in the new year.
—Juliana Liu, CNN, 28 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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After a long bout of gruff banter, Frank gets personal, invoking his dead son, Joseph.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
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The actress uncovers enough credibility in the character to withstand the syrupy sports drama’s conventions, offsetting the gruff Eastwoodisms on which the film is built. 19.Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The corps’ push for additional benefits coincided with a harsh realization for the British Army: For white men, service in the West Indies was viewed as a death sentence due to the high risk of disease.Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
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With his latest project, he’s found a balance between the harsher realities of the real world, and his own playful spirit.Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Watching Maria’s vibrant, patient generosity, the relentless charisma of a nonna at the height of her powers, was a balm on my still-grieving heart.Juliet Grames, People.com, 7 Dec. 2024
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But beyond the sparkle and the prestige, his work remains an intimate letter to the lavishing beauty of the Italian artisanship and his own relentless pursuit of beauty and innovation in the modern world.Fairchild Studio, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024
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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Eldest children may create stern rules for their kids, such as a chore chart and strict bedtime routines.Alex Vance, Parents, 9 Dec. 2024
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The speaker of the National Assembly read a stern statement on camera demanding that the president hold off a visit to the National Assembly until security matters are ironed out.Joohee Cho, ABC News, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In a time when people approach political, social and economic issues with a different set of information and fake news is rampant, the best way to do that is to approach tough conversations with stories rather than facts.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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The clients’ storefronts are positioned to succeed in a sometimes tough marketplace by focusing on exclusivity and quality.Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Riley is an extremely creative, hardworking and determined student.Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Dec. 2024
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Mia seems determined to rope as many people into her chaos as much as possible, consequences be damned.Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Light winds, increasing humidity and a chance of rain are forecast to bring relief to Los Angeles on Thursday after dry and windy conditions fueled the spread of the ferocious Franklin fire in Malibu this week.Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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Tehran, Washington, and five other world powers later inked an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program in 2015, despite ferocious lobbying from Israeli leaders.Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near grim
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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