grimy

adjective

ˈgrī-mē How to pronounce grimy (audio)
Definition of grimynext
as in filthy
not clean this mirror is so grimy you can barely see your reflection in it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 grimy Soap residue that’s left behind can create a sticky surface that attracts dust, dirt, and airborne oils, leading to some pretty grimy and hard-to-remove surfaces. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026 With a haunting soundtrack and precise, brooding cinematography, Argento creates a chillingly grimy atmosphere that pervades every frame. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026 Arguably the standout set of the entire festival, her set was grimy and dark, featuring songs off her new album, Music, Fashion, Film, for the first time with a permanent snarl. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026 Olivia Dean’s romantic dresses and vintage references offer another option entirely, one typically not associated with the sometimes grimy setting of Grant Park. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grimy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimy
  1. filthy
  2. dusty
  3. dirty
  4. blackened
  5. stained
  6. muddy
  7. black
Adjective
  • People were filthy in so many ways, so Mike really wrote that in.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
  • While sinks can become filthy from soap splatters and dirty hands, toilets need cleaning for very different reasons.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of filthy
Adjective
  • Saharan dust, a mass of dry, dusty air, can inhibit the development of tropical systems and storms.
    — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Purple Haze From smoky lilac to rich plum, from wine red to dusty mauve, the purple palette reigns supreme this time of year.
    — Joy Montgomery, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of dusty
Adjective
  • This tension is often subtext enough, and it’s accentuated by cinematographer Adric Watson’s tight and dirty frames, which confine Maya and Arti through astute visual composition, as the reality of their cushy lives is gradually illuminated.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Traction pods along the sneaker’s outsole make the shoe grippy on wet ground and durable enough to handle dirty trails and some rocky terrain.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of dirty
Adjective
  • The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Definition of blackened
Adjective
  • With stained glass, the gray light from outside is filtered through beautiful pieces of glass.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2026
  • How To Deep Clean Stained Wood Baseboards For stained wood baseboards, Matthews advises dusting using a dry microfiber cloth and Murphy’s Oil or a wood cleaning oil (remove excessive dirt and crumbs with a vacuum cleaner first).
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of stained
Adjective
  • The floating schools were a response to a longstanding local problem of seasonal floods and impassable, muddy roads that kept children from reaching conventional schools.
    — Ali Asif Shawon, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Half-dead and dragging himself on his belly through a muddy field, Eddie is far from the calm, affable aristocrat audiences first met in Season 1.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of muddy
Adjective
  • As deputies prepared to have the vehicle towed, one found a small black pouch containing passports and a Social Security card.
    — Dale Ellis, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
  • She’s been struggling with an injury in her left Achilles area since before Wimbledon and wore visible black strapping against Rybakina.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of black

Browse Nearby Words

grimness
grimy
grin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grimy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimy. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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