grievous

1 of 2

adjective

griev·​ous ˈgrē-vəs 

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

grievously adverb

grievousness noun

grievousness

2 of 2

noun

griev·​ous·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being grievous

Synonyms of grievous

Adjective

• harsh
• searing
• severe
• oppressive
• tough
• brutal
• rough
• hard
• cruel
• grim
• painful

Examples of grievous in a Sentence

Adjective

the grievous cost of war

He took a foolish financial risk and suffered a grievous loss.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But the biggest sacrifice, one that is never fully restored unlike Pericles’ grievous losses, is the emotional weight of the play’s climax. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

For the United States, that means encouraging reform, including human rights protections, and calling off the bargain that has allowed autocratic allies to get away with grievous repression. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

My homeland, my place and people, were diminishing, and this was permanently shocking and grievous to me. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Mullan, of Shanmullagh Park, in Draperstown, is charged with causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice, according to BBC Northern Ireland. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English grevous, greveus "oppressive, burdensome, injurious, severe (of sickness, wounds)," borrowed from Anglo-French grevous, grevus (continental Old French grevos), from gref "burden, hardship, grief" + -ous -ous

Noun

Middle English grevousnesse, from grevous + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

grievous

adjective

griev·​ous ˈgrē-vəs 

1

: heavy entry 1 sense 2, severe

the grievous cost of war

2

: causing pain, suffering, or sorrow

a grievous wound

3

: serious sense 4, grave

a grievous mistake

grievously adverb

grievousness noun