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
Examples 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
While some herald the modest improvement from last year’s 8.8%, the reality is grim — 90% of Baltimore’s students who took the state math exam are not proficient.
—
Christopher Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024
Known sometimes as the folklore of tragedy or the folklore of disaster, these tales have come from the chaos of no man’s land in World War I, the grim uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic and even the horrors of the Holocaust in Europe between 1933 and 1945.
—James Deutsch, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
Oracle’s grim forecast Jaque Silva | Nurphoto | Getty Images
Oracle shares fell 7% in extended trading on Monday after the database software company reported fiscal second-quarter results that fell short of analysts’ estimates.
—Kristian Burt, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
When tragedy ultimately strikes, paralysis is the commonality between each character, and the outlook for intermarried social warfare is decidedly grim.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grim 
Christopher Anderson, Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 2024
Known sometimes as the folklore of tragedy or the folklore of disaster, these tales have come from the chaos of no man’s land in World War I, the grim uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic and even the horrors of the Holocaust in Europe between 1933 and 1945.
—James Deutsch, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
Oracle’s grim forecast Jaque Silva | Nurphoto | Getty Images
Oracle shares fell 7% in extended trading on Monday after the database software company reported fiscal second-quarter results that fell short of analysts’ estimates.
—Kristian Burt, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024
When tragedy ultimately strikes, paralysis is the commonality between each character, and the outlook for intermarried social warfare is decidedly grim.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
-
After a long bout of gruff banter, Frank gets personal, invoking his dead son, Joseph.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
-
The actress uncovers enough credibility in the character to withstand the syrupy sports drama’s conventions, offsetting the gruff Eastwoodisms on which the film is built. 19.Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Relying on harsh overhead lighting can cause a room to feel clinical and cold while too few lights make a room feel dim and sleepy.Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2024
-
In part because Colombian troops were unable to traverse harsh jungles, Panama declared an effectively bloodless independence within hours in November 1903.Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Here, writer-director David Moreau depicts a descent into hell with a relentless sense of urgency, the feeling of claustrophobia made worse by the camera’s refusal to cut away.Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
-
As a small business owner, life often feels like a relentless balancing act.Minna Hu, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Corenswet is perfect as a younger, less chiseled, less stern version of Superman.Erik Kain, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
-
Freeland, on the other hand, has advocated a much tougher approach to Trump, one more in line with the stern response of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Carro, known for his tough stance on crime and his experience with cases involving terrorism enhancements, will play a key role in shaping the trial's proceedings.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Terrorist designations usually require action by other agencies, such as the State Department, and some members of Congress who advocate a tougher approach to Mexican drug trafficking are nevertheless reluctant to send U.S. troops into the fray without approval by the Mexican government.Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The fire was determined to be an accidental electrical fire by police.Escher Walcott, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
-
However, Cohen is determined to win a World Series title for Queens, which would be the third in franchise history.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
With the centrality of Ellen comes the centrality of her ailment: the film makes frequent and flashy displays of her body-racking fits, which Depp invests with ferocious, wrenching physicality.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
-
The carnage is truly next-level, including one infamous scene in which Joey wades through a literal pool of bloody, rotting dead bodies—all victims of Abigail's ferocious killer instincts.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near grim
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share