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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grim
Both actors have gone on record to share a hilariously grim tale of how their family once ate Josh's pet pig for dinner.
—
Lydia Price, People.com, 11 June 2025
On Tuesday, the latest report painted a grim picture of declining Gross Domestic Product (GDP) worldwide.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Built specifically to house the gang members that terrorized this country, the prison is spartan as a space station, grim as a gulag.
—Philip Holsinger, Time, 10 June 2025
Indeed, unless the new HBO Harry Potter series can save fantasy, things are looking pretty grim for the genre.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Lydia Price, People.com, 11 June 2025
On Tuesday, the latest report painted a grim picture of declining Gross Domestic Product (GDP) worldwide.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025
Built specifically to house the gang members that terrorized this country, the prison is spartan as a space station, grim as a gulag.
—Philip Holsinger, Time, 10 June 2025
Indeed, unless the new HBO Harry Potter series can save fantasy, things are looking pretty grim for the genre.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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While Hornets fans were not as gruff as New York Knicks or Boston Celtics supporters, Charlotte pro basketball fans were among the leaders who posted a specific swear word.—
Kendrick Marshall,
Charlotte Observer,
6 June 2025
-
Paul is lovable but gruff, while Jimmy is lost and a bit broken after having lost his wife in a drunk driving accident.—
Hedy Phillips,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Of the treaty’s three American signers—John Adams, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin—Franklin was said to have taken the harshest line against the loyalists.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
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Instead of internalising every harsh comment, try reframing it as information about their inner world rather than a reflection of your worth.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Her relentless pace is interrupted when a panic attack forces her to take a break.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
10 June 2025
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Ternana were relentless throughout extra-time but couldn’t find the winner.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
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As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
Adjective
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It’s submerged 11 to 15 feet deep, with its stern facing the shore.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
11 June 2025
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Tonight: Explore! TAURUS (April 20-May 20) ★★★ Avoid arguments with others today, which might arise with Mercury in your House of Communications at odds with stern Saturn.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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The vote took place against an increasingly violent backlash to the Trump administration's tough immigration policies.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
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In Mind For startups, achieving more with less can be tough.—
John Hall,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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This could be the reason that Republicans seem determined to give them a tax cut.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2025
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His interest in the appraisals made by determined minds informed every issue of Lapham’s Quarterly.—
Donovan Hohn
June 13,
Literary Hub,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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America, then, was visible to Fuller as the ferocious winds destroyed the vessel.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
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The Thunder are deep, play ferocious defense and have a star in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who embraces the big moment.—
Bob Harkins,
New York Times,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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