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
Dishwasher tablets are formulated with powerful cleaning agents designed to get rid of grease and stubborn food residue, and those same products can also break down laundry detergent buildup and grime. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 Oct. 2026 The still-pristine white marble stone stood out compared to the neighboring grave, holding Bailey’s sister Eliza, covered in grime and moss collected over the decades. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 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
  • And a thorough preseason waxing will help protect your vehicle’s paint from all that off-road dirt and dust.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The last ten miles might be on a dirt track, with the Land Rover in a shed somewhere.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of dirt
Verb
  • Donning a pink skirt suit and matching pillbox hat stained with fake blood, Fox stepped out as the former First Lady during an event for Urban Decay.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The sculptures were frequently stained with graphite or chalk dust, whose force of presence was comparable to that of cliff or cave, capable of stunning the viewer into silence.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of stain
Noun
  • Thankfully, there are dedicated enthusiasts with access to heavy equipment willing to wrestle tons of rusty metal from the muck.
    — Stephen Edelstein, The Drive, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Wolf has never sounded more grounded than with 10 toes down in the muck.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of muck
Verb
  • Dirty Dishes Apart from making your kitchen look disorganized, letting dishes pile up can lead to food debris and grime dirtying your sink and attracting pests.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 2 Nov. 2026
  • To even wade into the arguments might dirty your hands, and mind.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of dirty
Noun
  • Kyiv has claimed responsibility for some attacks on Russian soil.
    — Harriet Morris, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The design of the bracing needs to take into account the kind of soil in the area, as well as the weight of the neighboring building and that building’s foundation.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of soil
Verb
  • The necklace features a set of round brilliant cut diamonds set in 18 carat blackened white gold and yellow gold.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Nov. 2026
  • As Jones finishes off Laveaux with a final spray of her air gun and blackens his teeth, other actors are lining up.
    — Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of blacken
Noun
  • Rugs are one of those niche investment pieces that can cost a fortune but will have little to no resale value after your dog has done a number on it (guess which one) or dust and hair have built up a layer of filth on top.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Miami, Fort Lauderdale restaurant filth Standing water covered the walk-in cooler floor.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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