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 The interior drew its own grim commentary—a few guests expressed feeling a sudden compulsion to jump from the top of the spiral ramp to their death. — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026 And the angelic youth Dorian Gray’s deadly descent into vanity and vice—ignited by a hubristic obsession with his own image—eerily foreshadows the grim trajectory of Wilde’s later years. — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026 But business-development brochures were never such grim reading. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 9 Oct. 2026 Legend holds that anyone who looks him in the eye faces a grim fate. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim

Adjective

Defying the old-school stereotype of the hard-nosed, gruff newspaper boss, Vaughn often mentored young reporters in a serious but friendly and encouraging manner.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Over three decades in stand-up comedy, Bill Burr has gained a reputation for saying, with gruff conviction and political fire, the thing on everyone’s mind.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

And now those still left in the battered city along Ukraine's southeastern front face death from hunger or disease as another harsh winter looms, with no agreement in sight for even a humanitarian evacuation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Despite low winds and little rain, harsh surf continues to wreak havoc along Southern California's coastal communities.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

The classic free-radical theory of aging, first proposed in the 1950s, held that aging itself resulted from the relentless buildup of ROS in our cells, decade after decade, and the wear and tear this caused.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Since 2017, Dulgarian has grown TAGABOW from its placid, solo origins into one of the decade’s most influential and inventive shoegaze bands; the proof is in Lotto, their bold and relentless breakout LP from last year.

— Abby Jones, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of relentless

Adjective

Onscreen, this ethnic conflict allowed Ken-san and other kimonoed gangsters to be presented as pure, sincere, patriotic heroes fighting for traditional Japanese values against savage aliens as well as local, gun-toting yakuza.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
The Indian pilot who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel with more than 170 people on board is being hailed as a hero.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of savage

Adjective

Below is Jordan — bearded, stern, and wearing a leather jacket — as Det.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
Preliminary information indicates that the explosion occurred near the vessel’s stern deck, resulting in limited damage, a police spokesperson said in a statement.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of stern

Adjective

Celebrity hairstylist Brian Magallones considers this the perfect balance between a not-too-fussy and not-too-structured chignon, a style that sounds tough to style without a professional team but is actually quite easy to master at-home.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Coming off that dominant performance against the Yankees, Rasmussen went six-plus tough innings.

— Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

After the initial blast, which spews out gamma rays, a storm of radiation pours into the surrounding galaxy, creating a ferocious afterglow that burns in every part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

— Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
The characters thrust and parry with ferocious wit in an upscale California desert setting that scenic designer Scott Pask generically satirizes as a category of social living.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of grim

adjective

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