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

The two-time Oscar winner wrote in his upcoming memoir, Look at Me, that Nichols was gruff in their interactions.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Nov. 2026
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

Definition of gruff

Adjective

Martha Stewart is asking Americans for forgiveness after her Halloween costume drew harsh criticism.

— Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Held without charge, al-Sakani says he was subjected to harsh conditions, including sleep deprivation, inadequate medical care and the withholding of medication.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of harsh

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

But the rugged terrain would prove a stern test for some competitors.

— CBS News, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
The fear had to be that Stewart’s Star Trek captain, by comparison, would feel like your stern and authoritarian father had finally come home to shut down the party and tell everyone they were grounded.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of stern

Adjective

With the balance of power in Tallahassee at stake, Miami’s Republican state senators fended off tough challenges Tuesday night, while Democratic candidates flipped several South Florida state House seats for the minority party in Florida’s capital.

— Miami Herald staff, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
Whoever wins the contest will be stepping into one of the California’s toughest political jobs.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

However, some executives remain determined to maintain a physical presence, believing that showing up during a crisis could give them a competitive advantage.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026
That person was later determined to be dead, according to Nowels.

— Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 4 Nov. 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

Browse Nearby Words

grills

grim

grimace

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“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of grim

adjective

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