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

• 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

Buruk hit the turf, holding his face as if grievous harm had been inflicted. —Nick Miller, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

When a Russian cruise missile hit the restaurant, Amelina suffered grievous head injuries, and lost consciousness. —Nelly Klos september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025

Arch-conservative Ronald Reagan acknowledging that a grievous wrong had been done to these people, by the American government, and making some small measure of amends along with the Congress. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Frith, of Sidcup, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on July 8. —Christina Coulter, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025

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