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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Listing photos and descriptions of the properties paint a grim picture.
—
CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjusted for inflation, the math works out somewhere between grim and insulting as the danger escalates for the series’ cast but the reward barely keeps pace.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026
The Associated Press reported that the grim discovery underscores the tactics used by criminal groups competing for control of territory and trafficking routes, especially along the country’s coastline.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Clad in yellow and appearing grim, McKee also waived his right to an extradition — paving the path for his return to Ohio to face the charges, the Rockford Register Star reported.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjusted for inflation, the math works out somewhere between grim and insulting as the danger escalates for the series’ cast but the reward barely keeps pace.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 13 Jan. 2026
The Associated Press reported that the grim discovery underscores the tactics used by criminal groups competing for control of territory and trafficking routes, especially along the country’s coastline.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Clad in yellow and appearing grim, McKee also waived his right to an extradition — paving the path for his return to Ohio to face the charges, the Rockford Register Star reported.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 12 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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Cisco positions the same rugged networking technology used in Parkie for other harsh environments, including factories, logistics hubs, and outdoor industrial sites.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 2026
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Fabrics that aren't made for harsh weather conditions, especially cotton and linen, are prone to absorbing moisture, causing mold, mildew, and water stains.—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 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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This league is a savage league.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 Dec. 2025
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The fifth-place finisher also reveals the inspiration for her savage jury question to Savannah.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Several French and Italian citizens were among the dead, and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for stern punishment to be meted out to those responsible for the blaze.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
9 Jan. 2026
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Continue reading … FLIP-FLOP – Reporter claims Harris privately joked about question before stern response.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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After a rocky two years, the luxury industry is expected to carry its third-quarter recovery into Q4, despite some tough comparables.—
Laure Guilbault,
Vogue,
15 Jan. 2026
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That hope ended on July 3, 2025 when Michael, the charismatic tough guy actor known for his memorable roles in Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs, died of cardiac arrest at 67 years old after a long struggle with alcoholism.—
Liz McNeil,
PEOPLE,
15 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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Public reaction to his fraudulence was ferocious.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
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Maye did make his first ever NFL start last season against Houston, which has become known for having one of the most ferocious defenses in the league.—
Matt Schooley,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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