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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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
Chickens face similarly grim conditions in battery cages.
—
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
In the pain and promise of conceding to the fact that so much is still possible for this world and its people, no matter how grim the prognosis.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
The afternoon light sank into the blue harbor as the last tourists of the season ambled down the shoreline, grim-faced, confused.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
From a grim discovery in a missing child case to a high-stakes Senate runoff, Thursday brought significant news across North Texas.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
In the pain and promise of conceding to the fact that so much is still possible for this world and its people, no matter how grim the prognosis.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
The afternoon light sank into the blue harbor as the last tourists of the season ambled down the shoreline, grim-faced, confused.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
From a grim discovery in a missing child case to a high-stakes Senate runoff, Thursday brought significant news across North Texas.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
Adjective
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But the grizzled former Man in Black and man-who-failed-to-ground-Maverick isn’t known for playing the type of gruff ol’ cowpoke who’s about to break into song.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
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The son of a Scottish immigrant, McCluskie had a reputation as a political street fighter and his gruff style complemented Becerra’s more measured, cerebral approach.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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The scheme has been so successful, law enforcement has created a joint FBI-National Security Division task force to disrupt the operations and have dealt a series of harsh prison terms to American accomplices who have willingly aided the North Koreans.—
Amanda Gerut,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
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To fully embody her OnlyFans persona, an earthside alien named The Hungry Ghost, who offers mild nudity and harsh criticism of her willing subscribers’ genitalia.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Americans have known Fox News’s Kayleigh McEnany as the composed woman behind the podium, forcefully defending administration policy in the White House briefing room, sparring with reporters on live television, or navigating the relentless pressures of national politics.—
Kiara Moore,
The Washington Examiner,
17 May 2026
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Still, the designer’s schedule remains relentless.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Take George Mullins — 18 years old at the battle of Carentan, one of the most savage engagements of the war, where his company lost 43 of its 45 men in three days of fighting.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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The perpetrators of these crimes are savage animals without a shred of humanity.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Jansa has been a stern critic of Golob's government, including Slovenia's 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
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Christophe is the spry, imaginative middle child to a stern farmer dad in an economically depressed countryside.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Each of those teams will be competing for playoff spots again, leaving the Raiders with no easy divisional wins and a tough out-of-division schedule.—
Sam Warren,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
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The group did just enough against Sale and a tough Braves bullpen to avoid getting shut out for the third time in five games.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The newsroom is split between those determined to suppress the truth and those who insist on publishing it.—
Emiliano de Pablos,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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At the time, the mother told officers Noel was staying with family in Mexico, which Everman’s then-Police Chief Craig Spencer has said was later determined to be untrue.—
Phil Helsel,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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The first wave of women’s-rights activists won suffrage for women, against ferocious and sometimes violent opposition.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
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Featuring aching, ferocious performances from Emmy winners Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, Camp Miasma imagines the resurrection of a dormant slasher franchise.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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