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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grim
Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch The legendary comedian brings his BAFTA-winning experience to the role of Hogwarts' grim caretaker.
—
Marni Rose McFall Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
And another grim fact is that Miami’s off season is getting longer, with business falling off long before June and the season starting later than ever.
—Connie Ogle
july 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025
Just six months into 2025, that number has been surpassed in a grim milestone.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 July 2025
Robert Shapiro, the first member and initial chair of OJ Simpson's defense team, gave a grim prediction regarding Diddy's potential sentence.
—Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Marni Rose McFall Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
And another grim fact is that Miami’s off season is getting longer, with business falling off long before June and the season starting later than ever.
—Connie Ogle
july 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2025
Just six months into 2025, that number has been surpassed in a grim milestone.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 July 2025
Robert Shapiro, the first member and initial chair of OJ Simpson's defense team, gave a grim prediction regarding Diddy's potential sentence.
—Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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Bill Pogue’s family and friends knew him as a thoughtful, deeply sensitive man, despite his reputation as a gruff, stern, wildlife officer.—
Jim Zumbo,
Outdoor Life,
17 July 2025
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Who leaves us echoes — gruff, brilliant, unrepeatable — half legend, half lullaby.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The harsh reality is this: not all cell phone forensic extractions are created equal, and the most important evidence for trucking cases on the smartphone will be gone in days or weeks.—
Lars Daniel,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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Late-night talk shows across the board are facing the harsh reality that declines in ad revenue can’t make up for burgeoning production costs.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Abbott's relentless criticism of Biden over the spike in unauthorized crossings that started soon after the Democratic former president's inauguration in January 2021 is credited with helping make immigration a leading issue in the 2024 campaign.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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From the start, Cosby imbues Roman with a relentless dissatisfaction.—
Oline H. Cogdill,
Sun Sentinel,
29 July 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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However, the slow collision of Ray’s two worlds unfolds with the stern casualness of two business acquaintances meeting for dinner.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
18 July 2025
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Bill Pogue’s family and friends knew him as a thoughtful, deeply sensitive man, despite his reputation as a gruff, stern, wildlife officer.—
Jim Zumbo,
Outdoor Life,
17 July 2025
Adjective
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The tougher policy changes are adding to the minors’ trauma, advocates say.—
Nicol León,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
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The trio had no phone signal to call for help, due to being so far down in the cave, and so Kate made the tough decision to leave the boys to find help.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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By morning, they were determined to find a way out.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
20 July 2025
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With a bout against WBA champion Fernando Daniel Martinez already confirmed for November, Rodriguez must first take care of business against a dangerous and determined Cafu.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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An inside look at the birth and power of ferocious storms Lowry credits the current warming in the Atlantic to a weakening of the Bermuda High, a pattern of high pressure that expands and shrinks over the western Atlantic and heavily influences hurricane movement.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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That rear wing incorporates a Formula 1-style drag-reduction system, S-duct air channel, aggressive front splitter, and rear diffuser to help generate an impressive 860 kilograms of downforce at 177 mph for ferocious performance.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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