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 mystery comes to a satisfying — if a bit convoluted — conclusion, and Frank certainly leaves things open for more grim (and grimly funny) adventures with his Dept. Q misfits down the line.
—
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 29 May 2025
If Hawaii is too expensive for a native Hawaiian to attend school, things are pretty grim.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 May 2025
For Evacuations? ProPublica recently published a grim but important piece on Helene.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
His face is grim, lacking the exuberance and devil-may-care attitude visible in earlier paintings.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 29 May 2025
If Hawaii is too expensive for a native Hawaiian to attend school, things are pretty grim.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 May 2025
For Evacuations? ProPublica recently published a grim but important piece on Helene.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
His face is grim, lacking the exuberance and devil-may-care attitude visible in earlier paintings.
—Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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Peter Capaldi - Twelfth Doctor From 2014-2017, a gruff and action-ready Peter Capaldi shredded an electric guitar through the TARDIS.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
29 May 2025
-
Over a four-decade career that began with a role on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, Lyonne has become known for portraying characters that are gruff but likable, hard-nosed but sympathetic.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Of the treaty’s three American signers—John Adams, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin—Franklin was said to have taken the harshest line against the loyalists.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
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Netflix released the trailer for the reality TV show on YouTube on Wednesday, which starts with a voice-over of a cheerleader talking about how the DCC will always be in each other’s lives before explaining the harsh reality of trying out to be a Cowboys cheerleader with all the talent.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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From IoT sensors and smart devices to social media streams and transactional logs, the information influx is relentless.—
Shinoy Vengaramkode Bhaskaran,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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The Pacers have been relentless in hunting Brunson and Towns when either is on the floor, frequently calling them into screens.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
29 May 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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The flybridge has a reverse radar arch that prompts a double take, while the remainder of the exterior focuses on open space (case in point, the foredeck), along with the beautiful design of the cockpit and stern area.—
Julia Zaltzman,
Robb Report,
28 May 2025
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The 5,000-ton-class destroyer was damaged Wednesday when a transport cradle on the ship’s stern detached early during a launch ceremony attended by Kim at the northeastern port of Chongjin.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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There are powerful levers to pull if Trump chooses, like increasing US military aid or imposing tough new sanctions, such as those overwhelmingly supported in the US Senate.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
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Every day, Russia gives new reasons for tougher sanctions and stronger support for our defense.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Administration officials and leaders of the emerging military tech sector are determined to get rid of excess regulations that slow the development and production of new weapons systems.—
William Hartung,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
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The money funded the Huntington’s research programs, and the institution is nonetheless determined to honor its awards to this year’s recipients.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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America, then, was visible to Fuller as the ferocious winds destroyed the vessel.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The Thunder are deep, play ferocious defense and have a star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who embraces the big moment.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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