as in dirt
foul matter that mars the purity or cleanliness of something
this new product really cuts through grime
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Akers nails 1970s New York’s glitz and grime as Bernie interviews an assortment of renowned chefs, fellow critics, criminals as well as Tirel’s business associates and son, Henri, who also happens to be an old flame.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grime
Noun
There was grit and grime to his feedback-heavy guitar wails, but there was sweep and grandeur too, more apparent on stage than on record.
—Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Akers nails 1970s New York’s glitz and grime as Bernie interviews an assortment of renowned chefs, fellow critics, criminals as well as Tirel’s business associates and son, Henri, who also happens to be an old flame.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
Noun
-
When the populist demagogue Willie Stark orders Burden, journalist turned gumshoe, to dig up dirt on a local judge, Burden demurs; certainly there are no skeletons in the office of the good judge.—
Brenda Wineapple,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Body oil, dust, soap deposits, dirt and grime from your body that doesn’t make it down the drain can accumulate in tubs and showers that aren’t cleaned on a very regular basis.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The most popular American sport, long recession-proof, forever immune to greed’s side effects, is prepared to stain its legacy.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The fossils become smooth, rounded and mineral-stained from their time underwater, a process that also complicates efforts to date them precisely.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the men tumbled down the grade’s shoulder into muck and brush, the speeders rammed together.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Volunteers have been showing up from across Oahu and even from other islands to help clear away muck and debris, Pierce said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But as filming continued, Pidgeon appeared to dirty her butter blond with caramel and chocolate shades similar to Bessette-Kennedy’s, thanks to stylist Kari Hill.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
With the help of your Instant Pot, spaghetti and meatballs come together in under an hour without dirtying multiple dishes.—
Jenna Sims,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to ZamZows, most Idahoans have a mix of sandy and clay soil, which can both cause problems in the garden.—
McClatchy,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Bright light, lower humidity, and warmer temperatures can cause soil to dry out more quickly, requiring more frequent watering.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Oil rushed through the sediment and rock and blackened the water.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
My father’s thumb was huge and blackened.—
Kate Crane,
Rolling Stone,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For example, milk can be contaminated by manure or environmental filth, infections of the udder such as mastitis or from surfaces during the milking process.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Little filth flies such as drain flies breed in sludge and decaying matter that can build up in drain pipes, says Oi.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grime. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
