grim

adjective \ ˈgrim \

Definition of grim

grimmer; grimmest

1 :fierce in disposition or action :savage

grim wolves

2 a :stern or forbidding in action or appearance

a grim taskmaster

b :somber, gloomy

grim news of the disaster

3 :ghastly, repellent, or sinister in character

a grim tale

4 :unflinching, unyielding

grim determination

—

grimly

adverb

—

grimness

noun

See grim defined for English-language learners

See grim defined for kids

Examples of grim in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of grim from the Web

But as the Trump administration remains fixated on Islamic extremism, and Trump keeps pandering to the far-right, any hopes of effectively countering white extremism is looking grim.

— sarah harvard, Teen Vogue, "How Donald Trump’s Defense of White Supremacists Puts National Security at Risk," 24 Aug. 2017
Benchmark helped oust Kalanick earlier this summer when two of its investors joined a grim delegation of V.C.s that asked for his resignation.

— vanityfair.com, "One of Uber’s Biggest Investors Just Sued Travis Kalanick for Fraud," 10 Aug. 2017
This week's portion presents a grim forecast of the Jews' fortune.

— rabbi avi weiss, Jewish Journal, "Weiss: The challenges of life in exile," 31 July 2017
Republican leaders stood together looking grim as their back-up repeal plan appeared to collapse.

— steven t. dennis, Bloomberg.com, "Obamacare Repeal Collapses as Senate GOP Blocks Health Bill," 28 July 2017
And in a grim calculation, India, with four times Pakistan’s territory, sees itself as better able to absorb a nuclear strike.

— The Economist, "Hissing cousinsWhy India and Pakistan hate each other," 22 July 2017
True-Crime Tours As the husband-and- wife team behind Esotouric, Kim Cooper and Richard Schave have built an empire on exposing L.A.’s grim underbelly with twisted joie de vivre and nerdy zeal.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
The search took a series of grim turns Thursday, as authorities said cadaver dogs had led them to the body of one of the missing men at the bottom of a 12-foot grave.

— joel achenbach, Washington Post, "Pa. man confesses to ‘participation’ in slaying of four as search for bodies continues," 13 July 2017
A year later, the 42-year-old sheriff’s deputy is still defying the odds and the grim prognosis issued after the July 17 attack.

— michael kunzelman, The Seattle Times, "Wounded deputy still defying odds a year after deadly ambush," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grim.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of grim

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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grim Synonyms

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

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

GRIM Defined for English Language Learners

grim

adjective

Definition of grim for English Language Learners

: unpleasant or shocking to see or think about
: causing feelings of sadness or worry : gloomy or depressing
: having a very serious appearance or manner

GRIM Defined for Kids

grim

adjective \ ˈgrim \

Definition of grim for Students

grimmer; grimmest

1 :¹savage 2, cruel

2 :harsh in action or appearance :stern

a grim look

3 :gloomy 3, dismal

grim news

4 :showing firmness and seriousness

grim determination

5 :frightful 1

a grim tale

—

grimly

adverb

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See words that rhyme with grim Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for grim Spanish Central: Translation of grim Nglish: Translation of grim for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of grim for Arabic speakers

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Origin and Etymology of grim

grim Synonyms

Synonyms

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GRIM Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of grim for English Language Learners

GRIM Defined for Kids

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