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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in harsh
difficult to endure
this winter is supposed to be particularly grim, so stock up on firewood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in savage
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
grim warriors heading into battle
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 grim
On his 100th day in office, the situation looked grim.
—
Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 May 2025
But the grim daily toll of Israel’s assault on Gaza makes normalization a tough sell.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
And in the end, a grim start caught up with the Nuggets.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 May 2025
Their personalities, along with the cruel allure of the cityscape itself, lend the grim story a glimmer of transcendence.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 May 2025
But the grim daily toll of Israel’s assault on Gaza makes normalization a tough sell.
—Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
And in the end, a grim start caught up with the Nuggets.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 May 2025
Their personalities, along with the cruel allure of the cityscape itself, lend the grim story a glimmer of transcendence.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
-
The rest of the film takes place in a prison, where Henry’s gruff but philosophical cellmate, Gene (Shia LaBeouf), tries to teach him the ways of the world.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2025
-
Fimmel digs into the more stereotypical gruff bounty hunter with relish, though the character itself is a western staple.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Padilla had harsh comments for the president and the GOP in a statement Thursday after the House vote.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
-
In fact, all forms of Persian rap — from street rap and gangsta to philosophical and social hip-hop — were used in the service of protest, with many works accompanied by heavy beats, dark atmospheres, and harsh narrative styles.—
Ali Farahmand,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
The only sober attendees are a father (Sergi López) and his young son (Bruno Núñez) who are hoping to find the boy’s sister, a bohemian swept up in the relentless rhythm of this road-tripping bacchanalia.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2025
-
In the first half of Hurry Up Tomorrow, Tesfaye worries about his ever-weakening voice amid a relentless tour cycle where he’s tormented and inundated with partying hangers-on and lewd friend turned manager Lee (Barry Keoghan).—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
And Hannah Waddingham gives a good, stern space-lady as the voice of the Galactic Grand Councilwoman.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
-
Ruud van Nistelrooy put his arm round Amad, who wore a stern expression before going onto the pitch.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Johnson has been on a winning streak this year with Trump in the White House and backing him repeatedly to muscle through a series of very tough votes on the slimmest of majorities.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2025
-
Coastal trips After previously demonstrating that Viking vessels can handle open oceanic waters even in tough conditions, Jarrett was determined to explore their capabilities close to land and among the fjords.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
The president is determined to get something done here.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
20 May 2025
-
The conservative view Many conservatives are determined to repeal or at least delay and dilute most of the clean energy breaks.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
She and her fellow hybrids are sent to investigate the site, leading to the encounter of mysterious life forms — including one ferocious Xenomorph.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
Both general elections are expected to be competitive, but only the New Jersey Democratic primary has featured ferocious competition out of the four party primaries.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share