1
2
as in nerd
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 effort
very hard or unpleasant work
yard work is a real grind
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in routine
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 to rub
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
3
4
as in to polish
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
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 grind
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Artists like Billie Eilish and many more have surpassed the indie grind in favor of reaching fans directly and urgently through social media at the dawn of their careers.
—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2026
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 July 2026
Those particles may have been grinding in the joint, causing mechanical wear on the cobalt-chromium femoral head that released cobalt into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream.
—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for grind
Noun
Modern life is dominated by devices and online services, and tech management is important even when we're supposed to be taking a break from the daily grind.
—
ABC News,
1 July 2026
Artists like Billie Eilish and many more have surpassed the indie grind in favor of reaching fans directly and urgently through social media at the dawn of their careers.
—
Marissa R. Moss,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2026
Verb
The remaining cathode material is dried and ground into a fine black powder.
—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
2 July 2026
Those particles may have been grinding in the joint, causing mechanical wear on the cobalt-chromium femoral head that released cobalt into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream.
—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for grind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grind
Noun
-
Made-from-scratch cheesecake doesn’t seem so hard when made as cupcakes where there’s no water bath, springform pan, and long chilling time required.
-
The report's authors said the case highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even if there is no visible bite or scratch.
Noun
-
In the film, the villain is not the Harvard nerds who initially shun Elle, but the ex-boyfriend who never saw her as anything more than a cardboard cutout of a girl with blonde hair and big boobs.
-
Hunter Pence, a nerd at heart, spent money from his first paycheck to buy himself a gaming computer to play World of Warcraft.
Noun
-
But the effort was set aside after the onset of COVID-19, which caused massive disruptions across the Los Angeles Unified School District, said Michael Trujillo, a political strategist for Gonez.
-
Both countries have stepped up efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold international law in the strait, including hosting a summit with 51 other nations in April.
Noun
-
Simplify your week with easy-to-prep meals and fresh ingredients, delivered for a price that fits into your busy, real-world routine.
-
That said, the actress has a few staples in her routine that help enhance her glowy, youthful appearance.
Verb
-
An agitator is a post in the machine’s center that twists so the clothes can rub against each other, while impellers have a cone or disc on the bottom of the drum that spins.
-
Thyme When their essential oils are released and rubbed onto the skin, thyme plants, including creeping thyme, can help keep mosquitoes away.
Verb
-
Showed toughness by gritting through ankle and knee injuries in the Final Four and title game.
-
Then the coach known as the most impulsive man on an NFL sideline runs that stop sign, grits his teeth and breaks unbound into character.
Verb
-
The scribe carefully inscribed each line with a quill made from a goose feather, while their other hand wielded an erasing knife used to sharpen the quill and scrape away any mistakes.
-
Your 3rd House of Communication awakens as the intuitive Moon moves in, sharpening timing and nudging you to say what helps tasks move.
Verb
-
Parker Kitternan was busy at the console of the church's pipe organ, polishing his musical tribute for the weekend.
-
Wear it with flat sandals for a beachfront dinner or add wedges and simple jewelry for an outfit that feels polished enough for a special occasion.
Cite this Entry
“Grind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grind. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
