grime 1 of 2

noun

ˈgrīm How to pronounce grime (audio)
Definition of grimenext
as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something this new product really cuts through grime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grime

2 of 2

verb

as in to stain
to make dirty countless hours of work were needed to clean the floors of the old warehouse that had been grimed from a century of use

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 grime
Noun
Excessive oil can clog the cloth’s fibers and smear grime across your stainless steel, creating unsightly streaks and residue. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 July 2026 During Wednesday’s demonstration, the window washing drone began to elevate into the air as a high-pressure stream of water erupted from the nozzle, washing away the grime stuck on the Allapattah Goodwill Outlet’s walls. — Delia Rose Sauer, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026
Verb
Over time, the sheets' fibers begin breaking down and grime such as body oils no longer washes out as well, causing the sheets to become less sanitary. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 15 June 2026 On Starz’s latest offering, every wall is realistically grimed, and every plaid is laid just so. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grime
  1. dirt
  2. stain
  3. muck
  4. dirty
  5. soil
  6. blacken
  7. filth
Noun
  • The restaurant received 87% on June 26, with violations including dead roaches, debris and dirt.
    — Eva Flowe July 25, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026
  • For decades, that saltwater, called brine, was spread on dirt and gravel roads across the state to control dust and also on paved roads to melt ice.
    — Nathaniel Warner, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • But the tournament will also be remembered for a classless and churlish Argentina, which forever stained itself with a thuggish performance in the game and an ungracious one afterward.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • Now—before there is another name, another van, another street stained with blood that didn't have to be spilled.
    — Kica Matos, Time, 17 July 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • Once more than 20 feet deep in some areas, Lake Jesup today is barely six feet deep as muck and other debris have accumulated on the bottom.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
  • Yes, Nolan’s tendency to make the sound editing a bit murky or a bit too loud at times while the dialogue sinks into the sonic muck, all these things are true here.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of muck
Verb
  • Satisfy your lasagna craving without dirtying up a pile of dishes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
  • The zipper shoe compartment keeps your shoes from dirtying up your clothing, and the massive interior can hold many outfits for your weekend getaway.
    — Olivia Dubyak, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of dirty
Noun
  • Both areas have deep sediment soil that sit atop alluvial valleys.
    — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • The company is seen as pivotal to bringing chip manufacturing back to American soil, following decades of it shifting to Asia.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • Large sections of the ceiling were destroyed, blackened and charred, while the floor and tables below, some still with beer bottles on them, were blanketed in ash and debris.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • Pictures shared on social media after the fire was extinguished showed chairs and tables inside the pub completely charred and blackened, with parts of the ceiling peeling off.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 July 2026
Definition of blacken
Noun
  • As currents floated the ship north and tugboats struggled to drag it to port, the thousands of people aboard descended into filth, madness, and worse.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 July 2026
  • Preventing or cleaning filth, however, pales in comparison to the problems posed by medical emergencies en route.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 July 2026
Definition of filth

Browse Nearby Words

grimacing
grime
grimed
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Cite this Entry

“Grime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grime. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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