1
as in harsh
difficult to endure
the months of chemotherapy seemed almost as grievous an affliction as the cancer itself
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grievous
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
Polly’s mom and stepfather have already been terminated, and now her dad is determined to save his daughter, if not himself, from grievous bodily harm.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
Assad’s atrocities include leading the regime charged with killing more than 200,000 civilians, disappearing more than 96,000 people, torturing to death more than 15,000 people, and carrying out grievous attacks against civilians using chemical weapons, cluster munitions, and incendiary bombs.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
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
Polly’s mom and stepfather have already been terminated, and now her dad is determined to save his daughter, if not himself, from grievous bodily harm.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
Assad’s atrocities include leading the regime charged with killing more than 200,000 civilians, disappearing more than 96,000 people, torturing to death more than 15,000 people, and carrying out grievous attacks against civilians using chemical weapons, cluster munitions, and incendiary bombs.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous
Adjective
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Why do some chocolate bars exhibit complex flavor notes like floral, caramel, and gentle woody, while others taste harsh, bitter, and astringent?—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
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Where rallies are taking place Nearly daily protests in metro Detroit this year have been observed as being peaceful, though sometimes Trump supporters and protesters exchange harsh words.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Past disasters have left a painful mark for many, but they’re connected by strong community ties and have come together at vigils to honor and pray for the victims.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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But the film is most moving in its quieter moments, when the longest and most painful goodbye mellows into something like acceptance, tinged with gratitude for the moments that remain to be lived.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This means too much potassium in your blood, which can be dangerous if not treated.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
20 Oct. 2025
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The Mark is a spy flick centered on Eden (Alba), an enigmatic spy on a covert and dangerous mission.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some cases have had tragic consequences, such as 35-year-old Alex Taylor, who struggled with Asperger’s syndrome, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, per Rolling Stone.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
19 Oct. 2025
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Following psychic researchers in search of spirits in a New England house with a tragic past, The Haunting trades leering ghouls and jump scares for atmosphere and suggestion, cultivating a cloud of dread that hangs like a heavy blanket over audiences.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Written by Mahdi Asghari Azghadi and directed by Puya Mofid, this searing Iranian drama unfolds within the confines of an elementary school, where a teacher’s harsh discipline leaves a young Black student traumatized and voiceless.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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High-temperature cooking methods such as grilling, broiling, roasting, frying and searing can increase AGE content in food up to 100-fold compared to uncooked versions, according to a 2004 Mount Sinai study that measured AGE content under laboratory conditions.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In Dahl’s original story, the Muggle-Wumps are clever and resourceful, using their smarts to turn the tables on their cruel captors.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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On the page, these serve to paint him in a monstrous light following his abandonment by his egotistical and cruel creator, Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac).—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These alerts address hazards such as sneaker waves, rip currents, shore break, and hazardous surf—all of which can lead to serious injury or death for swimmers, surfers, and coastal visitors.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
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Chicken in a steam table and gyro meat on the vertical rotisserie, both potentially hazardous foods, measured at temperatures outside the range considered safe.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As Yassir Zabiri flung his boot in the air, the ball bounced off the unfortunate Joshua Wynder and into his own net.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Tight end Orande Gadsden had a very unfortunate early fumble, resulting in a long touchdown run.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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