GRIM Synonyms: 285 Similar and Opposite Words

grim

adjective

ˈgrim

Definition of grim

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

as in harsh

difficult to endure this winter is supposed to be particularly grim, so stock up on firewood

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in savage

violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition grim warriors heading into battle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The first round, which took place on October 4th, was grim for Lula. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 Another set of execs and filmmakers wouldn’t have bellied up to this grim, gross anti-hero to round out their first trio of movies meant to reset a massive franchise. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2026 But if Earth did somehow get supremely unlucky, and we were directly hit by a jet even a few thousand light-years away, our situation would be grim. — Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Recorded in Weehawken, New Jersey, by producer James Frazee, the record is a lyrically grim, hard-rocking collection of 12 songs featuring characters drawn from its title. — David Harris, SPIN, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grim

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grim

Adjective

Defying the old-school stereotype of the hard-nosed, gruff newspaper boss, Vaughn often mentored young reporters in a serious but friendly and encouraging manner.

— Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026
Over three decades in stand-up comedy, Bill Burr has gained a reputation for saying, with gruff conviction and political fire, the thing on everyone’s mind.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of gruff

Adjective

Its sculptural geometry seems born of chance, gently carved and polished over time by the slow, relentless action of wind and erosion.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
Despite relentless internal memos about layoffs and content cuts since the summer, the BBC has only announced £200M of its half-billion goal.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of relentless

Adjective

The case has led to calls for tougher oversight of churches and other religious organizations in a country where religious faith plays a prominent role in public life.

— Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Thermal equilibrium might sound like a tough concept, but hundreds of systems reach them around us on a daily basis.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

The overwhelming problem of plastic From flax that can be used in clothing and cars to robotic skimmers to stricter laws, determined researchers, activists and volunteers fight an industry intent on making more plastic.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
That witness said Foss left a cellphone behind after their interaction, which was later determined to have belonged to Lussier.

— Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of determined

Adjective

One of the most celebrated objects from the India Museum is a mechanical wooden sculpture of a ferocious tiger gnawing at a British soldier’s throat.

— Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Wilson rocked the stanchion with a ferocious dunk in transition in the fourth quarter, only to have his next attempt at a full-court sprint smacked away by Jamal Shead, leading to a Leonard 3-pointer on the other end.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of ferocious

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grills

grim

grimace

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“Grim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grim. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of grim

adjective

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