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
But for malls like Lincolnwood and Northbrook Court, which have long promised redevelopment projects of their own but haven’t made significant progress, the future seems grim.
—
Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Szabo, the city administrative officer, issued a grim warning this week about the proposal heading to the November ballot that would repeal the city’s business tax, depriving the city of about $860 million per year.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
As the case nears the grim 100-day mark, FBI Director Kash Patel has criticized Arizona law enforcement for its handling of the case.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The reality, according to NASA vacuum exposure research (including accidental chamber exposures), is actually more grim.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Szabo, the city administrative officer, issued a grim warning this week about the proposal heading to the November ballot that would repeal the city’s business tax, depriving the city of about $860 million per year.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026
As the case nears the grim 100-day mark, FBI Director Kash Patel has criticized Arizona law enforcement for its handling of the case.
—Anika Reed, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The reality, according to NASA vacuum exposure research (including accidental chamber exposures), is actually more grim.
—Alan Bradley, Space.com, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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But the grizzled former Man in Black and man-who-failed-to-ground-Maverick isn’t known for playing the type of gruff ol’ cowpoke who’s about to break into song.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
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The son of a Scottish immigrant, McCluskie had a reputation as a political street fighter and his gruff style complemented Becerra’s more measured, cerebral approach.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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The scheme has been so successful, law enforcement has created a joint FBI-National Security Division task force to disrupt the operations and have dealt a series of harsh prison terms to American accomplices who have willingly aided the North Koreans.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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To fully embody her OnlyFans persona, an earthside alien named The Hungry Ghost, who offers mild nudity and harsh criticism of her willing subscribers’ genitalia.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Americans have known Fox News’s Kayleigh McEnany as the composed woman behind the podium, forcefully defending administration policy in the White House briefing room, sparring with reporters on live television, or navigating the relentless pressures of national politics.—
Kiara Moore,
The Washington Examiner,
17 May 2026
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Still, the designer’s schedule remains relentless.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Critic Rex Reed, who died Tuesday at 87, built his career on savage, acerbic reviews delivered with little restraint, earning a reputation as a provocateur.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
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Initially a beachy utopia where the children run free among nature, things become increasingly savage as help appears to be ever further away.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Yet Gilgeous-Alexander’s own diagnosis of his night, stern and accountable, showed no trace of concern.—
Joel Lorenzi,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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His father, a billboard magnate, was a stern man who would whip his son with a razor strap for stepping out of line, but the youngster refused to capitulate to his dad’s authority.—
Paul Bond,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Each of those teams will be competing for playoff spots again, leaving the Raiders with no easy divisional wins and a tough out-of-division schedule.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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The group did just enough against Sale and a tough Braves bullpen to avoid getting shut out for the third time in five games.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The newsroom is split between those determined to suppress the truth and those who insist on publishing it.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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At the time, the mother told officers Noel was staying with family in Mexico, which Everman’s then-Police Chief Craig Spencer has said was later determined to be untrue.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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The first wave of women’s-rights activists won suffrage for women, against ferocious and sometimes violent opposition.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
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Featuring aching, ferocious performances from Emmy winners Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, Camp Miasma imagines the resurrection of a dormant slasher franchise.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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