grievous

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

Synonyms of grievous

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

Examples of grievous in a Sentence

the grievous cost of war

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Here are some of the helpers who rose so fiercely to the grievous occasion. — Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026

This incident seems to have been the result of two coinciding oversights, rather than one grievous wrong. — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 8 June 2026

This is because when reviewing anything as one would a mechanical device, any flaw encountered is a grievous error. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026

Mazzer was found guilty on two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and the documents noted that there had been a dispute between Garland and the people who were stabbed. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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