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
And, thankfully, our concept of masculine identity has evolved quite a bit since the grim days of 1964’s Goldfinger.
—
Alex James Kane, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The Battle of Peleliu dragged on for two long, grim months, claiming the lives of about 14,000 Japanese and 10,000 Americans.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Looking grim, folks, and the year’s not half over.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Already, his story had begun to take on the grim pallor of tragedy.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Alex James Kane, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
The Battle of Peleliu dragged on for two long, grim months, claiming the lives of about 14,000 Japanese and 10,000 Americans.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
Looking grim, folks, and the year’s not half over.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Already, his story had begun to take on the grim pallor of tragedy.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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Platner, a gruff 41-year-old Marine Corps veteran, is trying to unseat Republican Senator Susan Collins with a platform of economic populism, universal health care, labor protections, and anti-interventionism.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
-
With his gruff voice, beard and sweatshirts-instead-of-suits, Platner cuts the figure of a blue-collar Mainer.—
Caroline McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The flap has also brought harsh criticism from prominent people in Miami, including former Democratic congressman Joe Garcia.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
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Without excessive optimism, in a world that is becoming harsher, the Festival, on the contrary, is opening up and improving.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The circuit winds through the streets of Monte Carlo — past the harbor, a famous casino, and through a tunnel — demanding relentless concentration as cars brush inches from the barriers.—
Sahil Kapur,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
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Chloe Thompson, Denver North’s goalie who has played with Gentry since elementary school, witnessed a relentless competitor who understands how greatness gets crafted in the practice beyond practice.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Adjective
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Their twiggy legs and bony frames exposed in bathing suits, the kids do indeed look extra vulnerable within the film’s savage landscape.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
25 May 2026
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Sure, sci-fi can be bleak — there's no end to the cosmic horrors and savage alien races that game developers can conjure up — but that almost always comes as a result of humanity's success in space.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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His portrait, stern and majestic, hangs broodingly over the stairs; elsewhere on the walls, the art ranges from the Baroque to the bro-tinged, with turbaned figures sharing space with Ryu from Street Fighter.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
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The cop, who was fingerprinted after taking the deal, had a stern expression throughout the brief hearing.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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More recent air quality news Major automakers are urging the EPA to delay tougher vehicle pollution standards for two years.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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In a tough economy for local breweries, Clairvoyant has found a way to keep its heart beating.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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But is this really a viable check on a determined president willing to fire and replace anyone standing in his or her way?—
Steven Andreasen,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
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Despite these obstacles, single women are determined to achieve their goal of homeownership and continue to be a driving force in the market.—
Kathy Collins,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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Fires ravaged the ballpark’s left-field bleachers in May 1926, and a tornado’s ferocious winds tore through additional sections of seats that July, and ownership could not afford to renovate.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2026
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Noisy, ebullient, ferocious and free, Dance!—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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