against the grain

phrase

: different from what is normal or usual
It takes courage to go against the grain and stand up for what you believe in.

Examples of against the grain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
All three musicians played virtuosically, and all three wielded their astounding dexterity to drag against the grain of pop appeal. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026 Arraez made a short half-dive to his right, picked the ball out of the dirt, spun against the grain and rose to his feet. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 2 Aug. 2026 Slice steak against the grain and arrange on top of greens; drizzle sauce over. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 July 2026 Poehling took a pass from Killorn, sped down the left side, cut right and shot against the grain to the left. — CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for against the grain

Rhymes for against the grain

See All Rhymes for against the grain

Browse Nearby Words

against the clock
against the grain
against the law
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Against the grain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/against%20the%20grain. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on against the grain

Nglish: Translation of against the grain for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of anecdote

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All