Antonyms for grim

Grammar : Adj

Spell : grim

Phonetic Transcription : grɪm

Definition of grim

Origin : 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.).

adj hopeless, horrible in manner, appearance

Example sentences :

It was composed of the grim psychological laws that govern the abnormal.
Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke

Andrew peered into the grim face of the older man; there was not a flicker of a smile in it.
Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand

This dart which I hold in my hand was once grim Death's own weapon.
Extract from : « A Virtuoso's Collection (From "Mosses From An Old Manse") » by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Grim, dour, silent, it waited for the beginning of hostilities.
Extract from : « Quaint Courtships » by Various

His was a commanding physique, hard as the grim plains from which he wrested his living.
Extract from : « Dust » by Mr. and Mrs. Haldeman-Julius

All else on his canvas is subordinated to the grim image of the colossal Puritan.
Extract from : « The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII) » by John Greenleaf Whittier

And the admiral eyed the handsome colonel with grim fondness.
Extract from : « Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton

A smile laid its faint light upon his grim old lips, and was gone.
Extract from : « Good Indian » by B. M. Bower

For the grim alternative was seldom out of my thoughts, and at least his dear life was safe.
Extract from : « The Comrade In White » by W. H. Leathem

The Tinker said nothing at first but stood looking at Robin with a grim face.
Extract from : « The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood » by Howard Pyle

Synonyms for grim

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019