The crossword solution for the term 'LIKE THE REAPER' is GRIM. This term is often used to describe something that is dark and gloomy, or a person who is stern and unemotional. It can also be used to describe a situation that is serious or depressing. The term is derived from the GRIM Reaper, a figure in folklore and mythology who is often depicted as a hooded figure carrying a scythe and collecting the souls of the dead.