— grimly , adv. — grimness , n.
/grim/ , adj., grimmer, grimmest .
1. stern and admitting of no appeasement or compromise: grim determination; grim necessity.
2. of a sinister or ghastly character; repellent: a grim joke.
3. having a harsh, surly, forbidding, or morbid air: a grim man but a just one; a grim countenance.
4. fierce, savage, or cruel: War is a grim business.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE; c. OS, OHG grimm, ON grimmr ]
Syn. 1. harsh, unyielding. 2. frightful, horrible, dire, appalling, horrid, grisly, gruesome, hideous, dreadful. 3. severe, stern, hard. 4. ferocious, ruthless.
Ant. 1. lenient. 2. attractive. 3. gentle.