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
His recent injury record makes for grim reading, however: the Brazil forward has not started a match since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury playing for his country in October 2023.
—
Jack Lang, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Others have been having a bit of grim fun — user Yanxiao1003 is among the many creators to post content mocking the idea that a Chinese spy might be hiding in their phones.
—Chloee Weiner, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
Records from the Justice Department lawsuit — and from AHCA’s own inspections — portray a grim reality inside the homes.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
By Friday, following the deployment of the National Guard, officials had begun clearing hazards and conducting a grim assessment of the damage, including a search for human remains.
—Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grim 
Jack Lang, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Others have been having a bit of grim fun — user Yanxiao1003 is among the many creators to post content mocking the idea that a Chinese spy might be hiding in their phones.
—Chloee Weiner, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
Records from the Justice Department lawsuit — and from AHCA’s own inspections — portray a grim reality inside the homes.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025
By Friday, following the deployment of the National Guard, officials had begun clearing hazards and conducting a grim assessment of the damage, including a search for human remains.
—Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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The wartime leader became a global icon for his gruff fortitude in the opening stages of the war, but his domestic popularity has since dipped.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
17 Jan. 2025
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Anderson recalled, adopting a gruff tone and pointing toward the audience.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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News Politics Maryland lawmakers will focus on several public safety proposals this legislative session, including harsher sentences for criminal offenders and more tools for law enforcement.—
Glynis Kazanjian,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Jan. 2025
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Avoid harsh or irritating products such as hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) or retinoids.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The start of the ceasefire will be a reprieve for Gazans who have endured 15 months of relentless Israeli strikes, which have reduced much of the enclave to rubble.—
Mick Krever,
CNN,
18 Jan. 2025
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Sports High School Sports Four reach double figures to lead Cavaliers, who get a strong finish from senior guard Kam Carter UPDATED: January 17, 2025 at 10:18 PM EST Spalding senior guard Kam Carter sealed a win over St. Frances with two relentless finishes at the basket in the closing minutes.—
Glenn Graham,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Don’t be surprised if you get pulled over for driving with snow and ice on your roof and are given a stern warning.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2025
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Commenting on the matter via Movistar, Madrid legend and respected pundit Jorge Valdano suggested that Vinicius needs to be taken to one side and given some stern advice.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Though not nearly as consequential as Dallas losing Dončić, Minnesota took a tough blow Monday — Donte DiVincenzo will be out indefinitely due to a toe injury.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Last year was a tough one for job seekers, who on average were unemployed for 23.3 weeks in December, up from 19.4 in December 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.—
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But Jasmine was determined to have Stacey join in on the fun.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
21 Jan. 2025
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The Uruguay attacker, who was Liverpool’s match-winner from the bench at Brentford on Saturday, is determined to stay and fight for more game time.—
James McNicholas,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Defensive standouts Bruce Smith and Derrick Thomas were ferocious competitors.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2025
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The latter, which begins at Second and Market Streets, circles Union Square and ends at Kearny Street and Columbus Ave., includes floats, ferocious lions, firecrackers and a 288-foot long Golden Dragon.—
Jackie Burrell,
The Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near grim
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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