NITTY-GRITTY Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

nitty-gritty 1 of 2

adjective

ˌni-tē-ˈgri-tē

Definition of nitty-gritty

as in mundane

having to do with the practical details of regular life a look at the nitty-gritty aspects of putting out a newspaper

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nitty-gritty

2 of 2

noun

ˌni-tē-ˈgri-tē

as in ropes

the specific practical details of something the governor tends to leave the nitty-gritty of running the state government to others

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 nitty-gritty

Noun

But the film never fully dips into the aesthetic nitty-gritty of the spring show. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026 While Druski is the mastermind behind the video, the Picasso responsible for that perfect blend of white makeup, fake tattoos, and farmer’s tan is Georgia makeup artist Kaylee Kehne-Swisher, who specializes in everything from commercial touchups and makeovers to nitty-gritty film special effects. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2025 Of course, scientists that invested years of their life in nitty-gritty research are interested in visualizing it in the best light possible. — IEEE Spectrum, 17 May 2019 The woman who made a career singing about dating her high school teachers, about burning rubber and kissing ass, about being a nitty-gritty dirty little freak. — Senior Wine Critic, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Sep. 2018 See All Example Sentences for nitty-gritty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nitty-gritty

Adjective

Natalie Dattilo Psychologist Between regular exposure to the mundane and increased access to everything else, worries stack — and so does stress and anxiety.

— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Even Santos’ mundane stories sound like character-building arcs in a rugged epic, never mind the ones involving animal run-ins.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of mundane

Noun

Two paths — one reaching 40 feet above the ground and a lower route — take participants around the park and through a separate section of the ropes course before returning to the granite wall.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Dozens of other workers on both banks pulled ropes to drag the structure forward, as hundreds of onlookers lined the canal to watch the highly unusual rescue effort.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ropes

Browse Nearby Words

nits

nitty-gritty

nitwit

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Style

“Nitty-gritty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nitty-gritty. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of nitty-gritty

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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