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
Haiti already faced an uphill climb to get back into this game trailing 2-0, but now their opportunity to draw a point looks positively grim.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Utah has spent the past year fighting measles outbreaks — a grim milestone that could affect whether the United States can keep its measles-free designation.
—
Devi Shastri,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
The energy at the heritage festival remained high despite the grim circumstances of an overnight homicide investigation the night before.
—
Sophia Buonpane,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
Not long ago, the outlook was grim.
—
Diane Goldstein,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Utah has spent the past year fighting measles outbreaks — a grim milestone that could affect whether the United States can keep its measles-free designation.
—
Devi Shastri,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
The energy at the heritage festival remained high despite the grim circumstances of an overnight homicide investigation the night before.
—
Sophia Buonpane,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
Not long ago, the outlook was grim.
—
Diane Goldstein,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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Abraham Lincoln furiously scribbled in Springfield on June 27, 1858, firing off a gruff note to the editor-in-chief of the Chicago Press & Tribune, then in business for only 11 years.
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But Rose bet that a less gruff voice, ultimately Mike Brown’s, was required to win it all.
Adjective
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Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
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Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
Adjective
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Four people have died and Kentucky’s governor declared a state of emergency after relentless thunderstorms unleashed deadly flash flooding.
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His most recent win in Las Vegas against Brunno Ferreira was decided in the first round, adding to his reputation as a relentless, precise fighter.
Adjective
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For my microgeneration, the disillusionment crept in with the savage failure of the Iraq War.
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Set in the fictional lands of Westeros, House of the Dragon depicts a savage succession struggle within House Targaryen and a resulting civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Adjective
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Judges have to throw the book at those arrested to teach them a stern lesson.
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However, for students graduating right now, Hammer can't really summon up anything stern to say.
Adjective
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Summer 2026 is having a tough time deciding on this season’s dominating nail trend.
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These are typically low-wage jobs that the healthcare industry writ large has had a tough time recruiting for since the pandemic.
Adjective
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It was held just 22 years after the Great Chicago Fire devastated the city, but Chicago was determined to dominate the world stage.
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There was an element of cynicism, but not on the part of determined prosecutors who overcame obstacles and brought the case to guilty pleas by three defendants and the conviction on 21 counts of the public official who ignited the scandal.
Adjective
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Despite Gulf states’ efforts to avoid a regional conflict, the US – alongside Israel – launched a war against Iran, triggering ferocious retaliatory attacks across the Gulf and forcing regional governments to confront once again the question of what American protection really means.
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In the film’s ferocious climax, Jim is shot but escapes with Selena and Hannah, and the story closes (28 days later) back in the countryside as a jet flies over and augurs their rescue.
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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