grievous

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adjective griev·ous \ˈgrÄ“-vÉ™s\

: causing great sadness, suffering, or pain : very serious or severe

Full Definition of GRIEVOUS

1

:  causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or sorrow <a grievous wound> <a grievous loss>

2

:  oppressive, onerous <grievous costs of war>

3

:  serious, grave <grievous fault>

— griev·ous·ly adverb

— griev·ous·ness noun

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Examples of GRIEVOUS

1. the grievous cost of war
2. He took a foolish financial risk and suffered a grievous loss.

First Known Use of GRIEVOUS

13th century

Related to GRIEVOUS

Synonyms

bitter, brutal, burdensome, cruel, excruciating, harsh, grim, hard, hardhanded, heavy, inhuman, murderous, onerous, oppressive, rough, rugged, searing, severe, stiff, tough, trying

Antonyms

easy, light, soft

Related Words

austere, bleak, comfortless, discomforting, forbidding, inhospitable, spartan, uncomfortable; biting, inclement, intemperate, wild; rigorous, strict, stringent; agonizing, heartbreaking, heartrending, painful, wretched; crushing, grinding, overwhelming, wearing; insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable; harrowing, tortuous; bad, disagreeable, hostile, unfriendly, unpleasant

Near Antonyms

comfortable, cozy, luxurious, snug; agreeable, friendly, genial, hospitable, pleasant; peaceful, relaxing, reposeful, restful; bearable, endurable, painless, tolerable; balmy, calm, clement, gentle, mild, moderate, temperate

Rhymes with GRIEVOUS

Nevis, nevus