grim

adjective

ˈgrim How to pronounce grim (audio)
Definition of grimnext
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

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 But as days turn to weeks, and a spartan Christmas gives way to a very unhappy new year, the family must consider the possibility that this is a grim new normal. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026 And so, on one of the grimmest terrains our present has to offer, Stever arrives at her brightest film to date. — Sonya Vseliubska, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026 The future for the merchant marine is going to be pretty grim. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Democrats are hopeful that the disparate party turnout could signal a grim outlook for Republicans’ ironclad control of state politics. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim
  1. gruff
  2. harsh
  3. relentless
  4. savage
  5. stern
  6. tough
  7. determined
  8. ferocious
Adjective
  • Pangan remembers of Brun, imitating his gruff voice, and shaking her head.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Experiments In Offline Dating by Kat Mackenzie Maya Davis travels to Ireland to find love the old-fashioned way for her dating podcast, only to endure the most disastrous blind date of her life with a gruff sheep farmer.
    — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 31 July 2026
Definition of gruff
Adjective
  • The plan would sanction top Russian leaders and introduce harsh new penalties on nations that purchase oil and natural gas from Russia.
    — Claudia Grisales, NPR, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Lebson and Richards ⁠denied that ​allegation, saying that Robert Gilman was held in extremely harsh conditions, tortured and injected with mind-altering drugs by guards, treatment ​that led to his transfer to the civilian hospital.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • The Cubs have been relentless against lefties this season, and that pressure continued Wednesday with lefty Jackson Kent, a Lake Park graduate from Hanover Park, making his major-league debut for the Nationals.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The brutal nausea and vomiting of norovirus, for instance, subsides in one to three days; even the relentless diarrhea of cyclosporiasis can let up in a couple of days with an antibiotic.
    — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of relentless
Adjective
  • The savage battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa had already demonstrated the ferocity with which Japanese forces would defend their homeland.
    — James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The lifestyle mogul made a savage comment about Meghan Markle in a cover story for PEOPLE on Wednesday, calling out her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of savage
Adjective
  • The Indian government last month issued a stern warning to Instagram to remove child abuse ads on its platform that followed a warning to WhatsApp over the rollout of a username feature.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
  • According to Jane, Burke was generally a caring and attentive friend, but also stern.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of stern
Adjective
  • Coventry, for example, face Manchester City away in Gameweek Three, while some of the teams worth targeting early like Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland have tougher fixtures in Gameweeks Three or Four.
    — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This summer has seen a confluence of challenges, including excessive heat that allows food contamination to grow and a pathogen that’s particularly tough to pin down.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • At first determined to capture him, little by little Araí starts to understand, and eventually, to identify with the villain.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Abel opens the wallet Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO Greg Abel, who took over from Buffett at the start of the year, appears determined to put the record cash hoard amassed by Warren Buffett to work on buybacks and stock purchases.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • Many EVs can deliver incredible stats—ferocious acceleration is their calling card—but not all deliver a holistic driving experience like the best German sedans of the past 40 or 50 years.
    — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • To the world, McRae is a strong, fearless entertainer, a triple threat who can pen songs that recall the fizzy pop of the early aughts and bring them to life as a ferocious singer and dancer.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious

Browse Nearby Words

grills
grim
grimace
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Cite this Entry

“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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