grim

adjhopeless, horrible in manner, appearance

Synonyms for grim

adj hopeless, horrible in manner, appearance

Antonyms for grim

Word Origin & History

Old English grimm "fierce, cruel, savage, dire, painful," from Proto-Germanic *grimmaz (cf. Old Saxon, Old Frisian, Old High German, German grimm, Old Norse grimmr, Swedish grym "fierce, furious"), from PIE *ghrem- "angry," perhaps imitative of the sound of rumbling thunder (cf. Greek khremizein "to neigh," Old Church Slavonic vuzgrimeti "to thunder," Russian gremet' "thunder").

A weaker word now than once it was; sense of "dreary, gloomy" first recorded late 12c. It also had a verb form in Old English, grimman (class III strong verb; past tense gramm, p.p. grummen). Old English also had a noun, grima "goblin, specter," perhaps also a proper name or attribute-name of a god, hence its appearance as an element in place names.

Grim reaper as a figurative way to say "death" is attested by 1847 (the association of grim and death goes back at least to 17c.). A Middle English expression for "have recourse to harsh measures" was to wend the grim tooth (early 13c.).

Example Sentences forgrim

It was composed of the grim psychological laws that govern the abnormal.

Andrew peered into the grim face of the older man; there was not a flicker of a smile in it.

This dart which I hold in my hand was once grim Death's own weapon.

Grim, dour, silent, it waited for the beginning of hostilities.

His was a commanding physique, hard as the grim plains from which he wrested his living.

All else on his canvas is subordinated to the grim image of the colossal Puritan.

And the admiral eyed the handsome colonel with grim fondness.

A smile laid its faint light upon his grim old lips, and was gone.

For the grim alternative was seldom out of my thoughts, and at least his dear life was safe.

The Tinker said nothing at first but stood looking at Robin with a grim face.

grim

Synonyms for grim

Antonyms for grim

appalling

austere

bad

badder

baddest

grim

Synonyms for grim

Antonyms for grim

More words related to grim

abominable

appalling

austere

bad

badder

baddest