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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
Plus, its rugged IPX7 waterproof casing easily withstands rain, spills, and outdoor grime, while the 5,200mAh battery delivers a full 24 hours of non-stop playback. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026 Cleaning bathrooms regularly prevents grime buildup and makes deep cleaning faster and easier. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 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
  • Dyson is hardly a stranger to powerful cleaning gear, and taking $100 off makes this one much easier to consider if your current vacuum, or even your trusty Roomba, is losing the daily argument with fur, crumbs, and dirt.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Grab the corners and shake off any loose crumbs, dirt, hair, dust, and debris.
    — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • The case has attracted widespread attention because the nature of Fortune’s death recalled lynchings in the Southern state, which has a tumultuous civil rights history stained by episodes of racial violence.
    — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • More rubbing produces mahogany, tan and brown hues, caused by staining from contact with vegetation.
    — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • The film could have only benefited from narrowing its scope away from all the government muck, an attempt to flesh out a mythology for its villains that are scarier simply as faceless, mysterious weapons of mass destruction.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The deep muck provides a cap for the shallow aquifer, helping to clean and filter freshwater that supplies drinking water for Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and parts of Palm Beach County.
    — Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 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
  • The text of the agreement, which has been released publicly by the administration, establishes a joint study between the two countries on the feasibility of an enrichment facility on Saudi Arabian soil.
    — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
  • If your home uses a septic system, wastewater flows into a tank and filters through soil.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • Morawetz also points to baking and air-frying as favorite preparation methods, noting that charring or blackening from direct high-heat grilling can be linked to health risks.
    — Embry Roberts, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Corbin uses cabbage as an anchor in his new and expanding Rolodex of flavors, thrusting it into the fire until the outer layers are blackened and frizzled.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of blacken
Noun
  • Too many rodents, too much filth and too little sanitizer led inspectors to shut down a Miami ramen restaurant for a couple of days last week.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In true Joycean fashion, Ironweed wants both symbolism and naturalism, the elevated language of heaven’s vaults alongside the unadorned details of bodily filth.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of filth

Browse Nearby Words

grimacing
grime
grimed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grime. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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