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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The grim milestone was recorded between January 2023 and April 2025, with the agency documenting that bleaching-level heat stress has impacted 83.7% of the world's coral reef area.
—
Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2025
Despite these grim statistics, there's reason for optimism—in great part driven by advancements in technologies seeking to tackle loneliness.
—Roberto Kern, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
New Jersey Federal Judge Robert Kirsch granted Manna compassionate release on April 16 under the First Step Act, stating that his grim health prognosis and his efforts at rehabilitation behind bars tipped the scales in his favor.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
In April, 2004, Phish played a series of exceptionally grim shows in Las Vegas.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2025
Despite these grim statistics, there's reason for optimism—in great part driven by advancements in technologies seeking to tackle loneliness.
—Roberto Kern, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
New Jersey Federal Judge Robert Kirsch granted Manna compassionate release on April 16 under the First Step Act, stating that his grim health prognosis and his efforts at rehabilitation behind bars tipped the scales in his favor.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
In April, 2004, Phish played a series of exceptionally grim shows in Las Vegas.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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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
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There’s a gruff lyricism to the performance that’s entrancing even when Elmer is standing up in a coffin.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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So, designing the model's apparent personality to be positive and supportive makes sense—people are less likely to use an AI that comes off as harsh or dismissive.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 Apr. 2025
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Vietnamese refugees who got a warm welcome from America puzzle at family separations, harsh rhetoric In Vietnam, Lam had owned three companies.—
Anh Do,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Chalk it up to fashion’s relentless hunger for newness, its long-standing obsession with youth — plus a new appreciation for internal mobility, observers say.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
5 May 2025
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The relentless exploitation of the species continued through the 18th and 19th centuries.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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The Raid 2, for instance, a two and a half hour crime and punishment epic, boils down to one man’s struggle to win the approval of his stern father; whether this is significant to Evans’ life or not, the motif nonetheless transitions cleanly into Havoc.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
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The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has issued a stern warning about a predatory fish that can grow up to 3 feet long, slither across land and breathe air.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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There’s symbolism there—all that tough, hard-to-crack shell hiding a shining pearl—that lends itself well to a tattoo.—
Leah Prinzivalli,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2025
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Employees have a tough time trusting a leader whose actions do not follow their words.—
Mona Andrews,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But Trump remains defiant about the tariffs, much like Putin remains determined to continue Russia’s assault on Ukraine.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
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The Bears signed Grady Jarrett in free agency to be a starter on the interior of the line but remain determined to create a deep rotation up front.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This ferocious, steep-banked corner possesses a wild 24% gradient, a nod to Spain’s bullfighting heritage.—
Kanzah Maktoum,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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But this team was special, with a watertight defence combined with a ferocious forward line of Ronaldo (his best goalscoring season for United), Rooney and Tevez.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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