1
as in harsh
difficult to endure
the months of chemotherapy seemed almost as grievous an affliction as the cancer itself
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
the death of a spouse can be a grievous loss from which one never recovers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
a grievous wound that requires a doctor's immediate attention
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4
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the grievous cost of the war in human lives weighed heavily on the president's mind
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grievous
Papa Polizzi didn't take any grievous action against Farber, who ended up advancing Snooki to the fifth week of competition.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
And ignoring, for one moment, the grievous setback of Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time goal, that must be rather terrifying for City fans, given the way Project Pep has changed the club for the better.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Following the attack, an unidentified 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and released on bail, according to Leicestershire Police.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
The 54-year-old last month pleaded guilty to charges including nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, on what would have been the first day of his trial.
—CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
And ignoring, for one moment, the grievous setback of Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time goal, that must be rather terrifying for City fans, given the way Project Pep has changed the club for the better.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Following the attack, an unidentified 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and released on bail, according to Leicestershire Police.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025
The 54-year-old last month pleaded guilty to charges including nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, on what would have been the first day of his trial.
—CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous
Adjective
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Senegal 's parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Audrey Sterk of Audrey Sterk Design teamed up with Chip Webster Architecture and Reid Builders to use durable composite countertops and weather-resistant cabinetry to ensure this outdoor kitchen will last, even in this harsh island environment.—
Megan Johnson,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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On the journey, she gets drawn into her own family’s history and trauma and uncovers a painful legacy that hovers like a dark cloud over the women in the family.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Mar. 2026
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Good opposing coaches pants him every time (Loyola, of course, being a particularly painful example).—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That $67 ticket informed me that the airline was selling seats to fill planes and slashing staff and services to dangerous levels.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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But the industry’s modern threats, while not wholly unprecedented, are dangerous in ways that are genuinely alarming.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Frankenstein is nominated for nine Academy Awards, including nods for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor, the latter for Jacob Elordi's portrayal of the tragic monster.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
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The novel refuses to package trans lives as tragic or easily digestible.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Built into a hillside to withstand the searing desert heat, the visitor center is run by friendly rangers who can provide information on what’s blooming, suggest where to get a bite to eat in town, and offer trail recommendations.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Mar. 2026
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To prepare trout, Walker suggests grilling, baking, or pan-searing it with simple seasonings like lemon, herbs, or garlic.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The $31 million stopgap measure overrides a cruel funding cut by the state Department of Health and, for now, avoids a potential life-or-death situation for about 11,000 people in Florida.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
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But the love between cruel people is a real love, too.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Scientists warn that this chemical fallout is far more hazardous and complex than standard urban pollution.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
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Some hazardous storms ongoing Wednesday morning in the Midwest and Texas will get another boost of energy in the afternoon as the threat stretches out and tracks east.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The interviews themselves are informative, but unobtrusive, and the while intimate footage of Frazier and Reynolds’ personal lives paints a slightly wider picture of their circumstances, their moods in the aftermath of their unfortunate digital breakthroughs is kept largely at an arm’s length.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
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Juicy is in the unfortunate position of following Jane.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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