aggrieved

1 of 2

adjective

ag·​grieved ə-ˈgrēvd 

1

: troubled or distressed in spirit

2

a

: suffering from an infringement or denial of legal rights

aggrieved minority groups

b

: showing or expressing grief, injury, or offense

an aggrieved plea

… he would look up with such an aggrieved air …

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

aggrievedly

ə-ˈgrē-vəd-lē 

adverb

aggrieved

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of aggrieve

Synonyms of aggrieved

Adjective

• dissatisfied
• frustrated

Examples of aggrieved in a Sentence

Adjective

He felt aggrieved by their refusal to meet with him.

The aggrieved party may cancel the contract.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Schiltz added that any aggrieved teacher can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. — Riley Moser, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

In a later conversation in that same episode, the women’s roles are switched — Rhaenyra is no longer the impatient interrogator but an aggrieved ruler who has no idea how to govern; Alicent is the soothing confidant offering wisdom to welcome ears. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Lawsuits in which aggrieved families sue funeral directors over subpar restorations can also have a chilling effect. — John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026

The team's true character, now perceived as aggrieved and disliked internationally, is fully exposed. — Shann Biglione, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English agreved "annoyed, resentful," from past participle of agreven "to aggrieve"

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aggrieved

• disbelieved
• interleaved
• misconceived
• preconceived
• undeceived
• unperceived
• unrelieved
• achieved
• believed
• bereaved
• conceived
• deceived

Kids Definition

aggrieved

adjective

ag·​grieved ə-ˈgrēvd 

1

: troubled or distressed in spirit

2

: having a cause for complaint

especially : suffering from injury or loss

Legal Definition

aggrieved

adjective

: having a grievance: as

a

: suffering from an infringement or denial of rights

b

: having interests adversely affected

aggrieved creditors