grim

grim

adj \ˈgrim\

grim·mergrim·mest

Definition of GRIM

1

: fierce in disposition or action : savage

2

a : stern or forbidding in action or appearance <a grim taskmaster> b : somber, gloomy

3

: ghastly, repellent, or sinister in character <a grim tale>

4

: unflinching, unyielding <grim determination>

— grim·ly adverb

— grim·ness noun

Examples of GRIM

1. Hikers made a grim discovery when they came across a dead body in the woods.
2. The accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.
3. The prognosis is grim—doctors do not expect her to live longer than six months.
4. He paints a grim picture of the prospects for peace.
5. His face looked grim, and we knew his news wouldn't be good.

Origin of GRIM

Middle English, from Old English grimm; akin to Old High German grimm fierce, Greek chremetizein to neigh

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GRIM

Synonyms: austere, dour, fierce, flinty, forbidding, gruff, intimidating, lowering (also louring), rough, rugged, severe, stark, steely, stern, ungentle

Antonyms: benign, benignant, gentle, mild, nonintimidating, tender

Related Words: bleak, cold, hostile, inhospitable, inimical, unfriendly, unsympathetic; adamant, bound, determined, firm, intent, purposeful, resolute, resolved, steadfast, unflinching; fixed, hard, hardened, hardheaded, immovable, implacable, inflexible, ironhanded, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, rigid, self-willed, set, stiff, stubborn, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, unyielding, willful (or wilful); immutable, unchangeable; black, cheerless, dark, gloomy, glum, joyless, melancholic, moody, morose, sulky, sullen, surly; brooding, grave, humorless, melancholy, serious, sober, sobersided, solemn, somber (or sombre), staid, unsmiling, weighty

Near Antonyms: bland, meek, mellow, soft, soothing; easy, quiet, tranquil; agreeable, bright, cheerful, inviting, pleasant, pleasing, sweet; glad, happy, lighthearted, merry, mirthful, sunny; featherbrained, flighty, frivolous, giddy, goofy, harebrained, light-headed, playful, scatterbrained, silly

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Rhymes with GRIM

bream, brim, dim, glim, Grimm, gym, him, hymn, limb, limn, mim, nim, prim, rim, scrim, shim, skim, slim, swim, Tim, trim, vim, whim