GRIM Synonyms: 285 Similar and Opposite Words

grim

adjective

ˈgrim

Definition of grim

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

as in harsh

difficult to endure this winter is supposed to be particularly grim, so stock up on firewood

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in savage

violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition grim warriors heading into battle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of grim But the grim consequences of this movement in power will soon become apparent. — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 The discovery raises the possibility of a grim outcome in the search for the four men, which has led to El Salvador deploying 450 special forces soldiers to Haiti as of Friday to aid the gang-fighting force in the search. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026 The arc of Bradley Whitford’s career makes for a grim report card on the state of the country. — David MacK, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 Another set of execs and filmmakers wouldn’t have bellied up to this grim, gross anti-hero to round out their first trio of movies meant to reset a massive franchise. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim

Adjective

Loneliness looms as a threat to all genders, but men, who are lauded for gruff stoicism and scorned for vulnerability, can be especially ill-equipped to navigate atomization.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
His reputation for having a gruff demeanor, Sweet says, is accurate, but attack ads that portray him as antagonistic toward women go too far.

— Julia Terruso, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

While its megacap rivals are currently engaged in a relentless, capital-intensive arms race to outspend one another on infrastructure, Apple's relatively low capex stands out as a testament to its disciplined capital allocation.

— Michael Khouw, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
The Storm was relentless in the second half with 10 shots on goal.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of relentless

Adjective

Reducing Gulliver’s Travels to only a topsy-turvy tale of humans both tiny and massive is to ignore the savage intellect that penned its words.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
In ancient, supposedly more savage times, public killings were common.

— Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of savage

Adjective

The winless Heat looked determined to get its first victory of the season, playing with aggressiveness and force on Wednesday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Hoping to sell the property while preserving his uncle’s legacy, Joe finds himself at odds with Darren (Swardson), the ambitious owner of a neighbouring go-kart track determined to bulldoze the course and expand his racing empire.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of determined

Adjective

The rising, warming sea and ferocious winter storms have battered the road.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
One of the most celebrated objects from the India Museum is a mechanical wooden sculpture of a ferocious tiger gnawing at a British soldier’s throat.

— Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of ferocious

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grills

grim

grimace

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Style

“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of grim

adjective

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