GRIEVOUS Synonyms: 221 Similar and Opposite Words

grievous

adjective

ˈgrē-vəs

Definition of grievous

as in harsh

difficult to endure the months of chemotherapy seemed almost as grievous an affliction as the cancer itself

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a grievous wound that requires a doctor's immediate attention

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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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of grievous 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 In return for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped charges of assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and having an offensive weapon. — CNN Money, 24 July 2026 The singer was arrested in May 2025 and charged with assault, suspicion of grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon (a tequila bottle). — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for grievous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous

Adjective

Growing up under the harsh system of segregation influenced Pillay's interest in human rights and the law.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Growing up under the harsh system of segregation influenced Pillay’s interest in human rights and the law.

— Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

His path crosses with Naoko, a Japanese tourist carrying the weight of a painful past, and Ruby, a young child searching for his parents.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Rising financial strains on American workers are forcing them to make painful trade-offs, such as skipping medical care, to make ends meet, new research shows.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

When threatening phone calls begin and a dangerous fugitive surfaces in town, Jenny grows suspicious of everyone around her as the danger begins closing in.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
One of the reasons being an actor is both dangerous and a privilege is that your job is to think about all the different roads your life could take, and all the people that live inside you, and all your potential.

— Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Encouragement from his longtime confidante and collaborator helped the comedian write about the loss of his beloved home before Reiner’s tragic killing in December 2025 alongside his wife, Michele, in Brentwood.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Reynolds, a Black disabled man with a limb difference, is given a character of substance that isn’t tragic or inspirational.

— Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

After winning the prestigious Golden Eye, Plambech returns with another searing analysis of the immigrant experience.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
The durable porcelain enamel exterior resists chipping and cracking, while the matte black interior enhances browning and searing.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of searing

Adjective

The offbeat, cruel cadence of the bit reminded me of classic Update Norm Macdonald.

— Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026
The misery of the situation could feel overwhelming, even cruel, but Cahyono’s observation of Sumiati’s struggles is humane and sympathetic.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

The facility has sign for consumer advisory for undercooked food, and the potentially hazardous items are marked, but the sign is lacking asterisks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
The production was shut down in Livingston, Montana last Saturday when locals complained about the production’s impact on the Livingston food bank and improper warnings about hazardous stunts.

— Pat Saperstein, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026