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
Heyhoe, with the United to End Homelessness, said this year’s census results may be grim.
—
Claire Wang, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
To get foreign conservatives’ attention, the group targeted major right-wing shows to cast white South Africans’ situation as a grim parable.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
The weekly measles update was grim.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
Such grim realities are a window into the massive ecological destruction brought to Lebanon as a result of the 2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
—Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Claire Wang, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
To get foreign conservatives’ attention, the group targeted major right-wing shows to cast white South Africans’ situation as a grim parable.
—Eve Fairbanks, The Dial, 27 Jan. 2026
The weekly measles update was grim.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 26 Jan. 2026
Such grim realities are a window into the massive ecological destruction brought to Lebanon as a result of the 2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
—Josiane Yazbeck, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
24 Dec. 2025
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The gory skit ends with the gruff older man rushing through the door to announce he’s made amends with his son, only to have his head sliced off by the flying chainsaw.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
21 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
29 Jan. 2026
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The origin of clemency is understood through the Federalist Papers as a need for mercy in instances when the criminal justice system was too harsh.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The relentless Chacon lurched outside after her just as his car door opened and out popped their 6-year-old son, begging his dad to stop.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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Czechia had trouble handling a relentless Sweden forecheck and tight coverage all over.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Sons of Anarchy was praised for its stellar writing, operatic plotting, and cast of actors who breathed vivid life into their characters, giving even the most savage moments a dose of humanity.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
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This league is a savage league.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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In the video, Caleb said wearing a stern facial expression.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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Serious, even stern, Douglas was highly principled, fiercely uncompromising and personally brave.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Going through a severe injury is probably the toughest thing an athlete can go through.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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More companies are dialing back flexible work schedules and mandating that employees return to the office part-time or full-time, forcing women into tough situations.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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She was pronounced dead at the scene, and her cause of death was later determined to be blunt force trauma to the head, the Athens-Clarke County Coroner’s Office and Morgue confirmed to PEOPLE.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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Two years later, Poppy is determined to get them back on track.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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What Lee did not anticipate was the iron resolve, the ferocious tenacity, of the Union defenders.—
Jamelle Bouie,
Mercury News,
29 Jan. 2026
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But nobody is just strong and ferocious, and nobody is just a saint.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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