1
2
as in nerds
a person slavishly devoted to intellectual or academic pursuits
don't be such a grind—go out with your friends and enjoy yourself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sweats
very hard or unpleasant work
yard work is a real grind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in routines
an established and often automatic or monotonous series of actions followed when engaging in some activity
the daily grind of a 50-mile commute was getting old
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in rubs
to make smooth by friction
after they are ground and polished, these stones can be used for jewelry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grits
to press or strike against or together so as to make a scraping sound
everyone in the car winced when the driver ground the gears trying to shift into second
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in smoothes
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure
used the finest polishing paper he could to grind down the facets of the diamond before dusting it with a soft cloth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
6
as in pounds
to reduce to fine particles
grind whole coffee beans if you want the freshest coffee
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of grinds
Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
And Destiny 2 has had some bad grinds in the past.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
As the summer season grinds to a near halt, several holdover titles rounded out the top five.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025
As Russia’s war machine grinds forward in eastern Ukraine, there is another offensive being waged far beyond the front line.
—Rachel Wilson, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
This contrasts sharply with traditional recycling, which grinds panels into powder and treats the material with aggressive chemicals.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
It’s finished with a generous sprinkling of salt and a few grinds of black pepper.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2025
And Destiny 2 has had some bad grinds in the past.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
Too often, the buying journey still grinds like an outdated gearbox.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
As the summer season grinds to a near halt, several holdover titles rounded out the top five.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Aug. 2025
As Russia’s war machine grinds forward in eastern Ukraine, there is another offensive being waged far beyond the front line.
—Rachel Wilson, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
This contrasts sharply with traditional recycling, which grinds panels into powder and treats the material with aggressive chemicals.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grinds
Noun
-
The array of ferocious brushstrokes, scratches, and painterly drips amplify the complex dialogue, inviting the viewer’s interpretation.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Propelled by one of guitarist Wes Borland’s hypnotic riffs, crunching beats, old-school record scratches and the group’s signature shouty choruses, the whole thing comes crashing to a close with a pummeling final chorus that finally nods to the country star in the title.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What a bad day for the state of South Carolina against nerds who wear gold.—
Jason Kirk,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Ratings nerds expect the momentum to continue in Week 2 thanks largely to Sunday’s Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl rematch that will be available in 100% of the country, not usual.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When actually on the way to the stadium itself, players dressed informally, sometimes just in team sweats.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Tsful Wide-Leg Pants Instead of joggers or sweats, the actress paired her top with matching cropped pants for a more elegant look.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Proceeds go to the guest chef’s charity of choice and the two chefs break bread and get to know one another beyond their day-to-day routines.—
Kristin L. Wolfe,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The resources are easy to use and designed to fit into busy, changing routines, especially during moves or deployments.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the moon clashes with Mars, a partner’s behavior rubs you the wrong way.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Lenker, in plaid, rubs her eyes; James Krivchenia leans forward, sparky and alert; Meek, outdoors in the Topanga sunshine, wears cycling glasses and a frowzy hat.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Many gig workers also operate across multiple brands and industries, spurring a cross-pollination of ideas that sharpens their work, fuels continuous improvement, and creates a more empathetic, modern approach to customer experience.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Capital might fuel expansion, but the process also sharpens leadership skills, deepens industry relationships and often reveals operational blind spots.—
Jessica Billingsley,
Rolling Stone,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The spiral layer also provides a deeper exfoliation that scrapes off dead cells, resulting in smoother, silkier skin.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The awfulness of it scrapes my veins, turning everything orange and raw.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grinds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grinds. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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