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
Cars are ‘so political’ The latest tariffs are grim reading for Europe’s already-beleaguered car industry, which has been struggling to innovate and compete with manufacturers in Asia.
—
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
Additionally, Achatz — looking back on how his cancer journey could’ve gone — is stressing the importance of advocating for one's health, even when the prognosis may be grim.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
The latest update is grim as Watkins will undergo season-ending surgery.
MSU coach Sam Purcell also commented on the devastating injury for the Trojans.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Smells like teen spirit As bloody and grim as Greek myths have always been, Santa Monica Studio established even darker trappings with 2005’s God of War.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
Additionally, Achatz — looking back on how his cancer journey could’ve gone — is stressing the importance of advocating for one's health, even when the prognosis may be grim.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 25 Mar. 2025
The latest update is grim as Watkins will undergo season-ending surgery.
MSU coach Sam Purcell also commented on the devastating injury for the Trojans.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Smells like teen spirit As bloody and grim as Greek myths have always been, Santa Monica Studio established even darker trappings with 2005’s God of War.
—Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
-
This was the puzzle: The Torch and the Treasure A Bridge Puzzle of Strategy, Speed... and Stolen Gold Five daring fantasy thieves—a nimble Elf, a sneaky Goblin, a fleet-footed Satyr, a gruff Dwarf, and a hulking Troll—have just pulled off the heist of the century.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Could this gruff old man playing mahjong in a nondescript hall be a curious gambler on the last boat up the Mekong, laughing in the face of Edward’s existential crisis?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
5 Apr. 2025
-
When the father tried to explain himself, the women criticized him for being too harsh.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
This dedication serves as the driving force behind every donation, propelling us forward in our relentless pursuit of progress in cancer research.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2025
-
After Cooper Flagg knocked down a pair of free throws at the 11:54 mark to give the Blue Devils a 56-42 lead, Houston stormed back with a relentless 28-11 run to complete a stunning rally and punch their ticket to the title game.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Apr. 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
-
Fifteen games have passed since, cementing Deepdale as one of the sternest away trips in the English Football League.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Of course this new yacht features the wide open stern and three-level beach club Bagliettos are known for.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
That’s likely a tough pill to swallow for Gomez, who typically launches her albums at No. 1.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
After some tough matchups in the Trader Joe’s Elite Sweets Tournament, one classic emerged as the champion.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite Donald Trump‘s growing chokehold on the Kennedy Center, Conan O’Brien was determined to fill the venue with laughs.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Flay and their team were determined to change that.—
Angela Chan-Danisi,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And yet even the breeziest of Catullus’ occasional poems can suddenly betray flashes of ferocious emotion.—
Daniel Mendelsohn,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
-
In terms of food security, the abundance of the blue catfish available could assist people in need, and on the flipside, rid the bay of a ferocious predator.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share