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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grim
This winter, the grim facts were written plainly on the landscape — in brown hillsides, dry peaks and the early blooms of spring.
—
Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
Since then Durbin has been better, going 4 for 18 with a double over the Red Sox’s last six-game homestand, but his overall numbers are still pretty grim.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Job prospects during the pandemic were grim.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
The darkness, however grim, is more comforting than the glare or the ever-present mound of dirt that looks all too much like a grave waiting to be filled.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2026
Since then Durbin has been better, going 4 for 18 with a double over the Red Sox’s last six-game homestand, but his overall numbers are still pretty grim.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Job prospects during the pandemic were grim.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2026
The darkness, however grim, is more comforting than the glare or the ever-present mound of dirt that looks all too much like a grave waiting to be filled.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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Leslie and her gruff-but-caring, staunch Libertarian boss Ron Swanson (the incomparable Nick Offerman) became symbols of bygone bipartisanship, not to mention endless memes.—
Jennifer Armstrong,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
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And Zendaya, as to be expected, really, is fantastic, slipping effortlessly under the skin of the gruff addict in recovery, trying to claw her way out of an increasingly deep hole.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even in the harshest descriptions of the violence and almost unbelievably cruel twists of fate that Yarris endured (the DNA testing keeps getting accidentally mucked up), Brody lends him a vital indomitable spark.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
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When the camera's weren't rolling, McCracken says, Couric gave some harsh advice.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Yet, at the same time, relentless convenience (or being sold the idea of relentless convenience) warps the brain in ways that make nostalgic cravings somewhat inevitable.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Michaels is a comedy producer with a relentless work ethic, a keen eye for talent, and an undiminished faith in what other — increasingly much younger — people find funny.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The famed African American journalist investigated lynchings across the South and wrote about the savage incidents that the white press had already explained away.—
Case Thorp,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
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The loss of books is minor, almost trivial, in light of all the horrors and violence unleashed by this senseless war, but the potential loss of these books is a sad reminder that we’re all affected and implicated in America’s savage flailings.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The cast is a murderers row of British actors, and the twisting plot of the novel is full of introspection and doubt, which makes for a tight 127 minutes of shocking revelations told through stern and troubled looks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Apr. 2026
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This led to a stern, unanimous California Supreme Court ruling in 2020 barring the practice.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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There were others like it against Ohtani as well, showing the Mets are still fouling off tough pitches and trying to keep at-bats alive, and some standout defensive plays made as well.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The toughest day belonged to someone who didn't even play.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Authorities said the boy struck him while riding what was initially reported as an e-bike but was later determined to be an off-highway motorcycle — a vehicle not permitted on public roadways in California.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
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One of the five was an MIT professor killed at his doorstep by a former Portuguese classmate who was later determined to be the Brown University mass shooter.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Having a husband who engaged with his kids with ferocious tenderness and playful delight was a gift.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
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After some ferocious wildfire years, insurers faced massive losses.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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