aggrieve

Definition of aggrievenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb aggrieve differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of aggrieve are oppress, persecute, and wrong. While all these words mean "to injure unjustly or outrageously," aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights.

a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

When can oppress be used instead of aggrieve?

While in some cases nearly identical to aggrieve, oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform.

a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

In what contexts can persecute take the place of aggrieve?

Although the words persecute and aggrieve have much in common, persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering.

a child persecuted by constant criticism

Where would wrong be a reasonable alternative to aggrieve?

The words wrong and aggrieve can be used in similar contexts, but wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves.

a penal system that had wronged him

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 aggrieve Now, rather than view North Korea as an unruly, angry neighbor, China has welcomed it, along with Russia and Iran, as part of what White House officials call a coalition of the aggrieved. Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2023 British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a chemicals magnate and an avid outdoorsman, was aggrieved when Land Rover replaced its rugged and rudimentary old Defender with a design that shares its engineering principles with current passenger cars. Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2023 Amazon prohibits class action lawsuits in which aggrieved sellers can aggregate their claims and have their case decided by a judge or a jury. Sandeep Vaheesan, The New Republic, 28 Feb. 2023 He was aggrieved when Hitler, in an attempt to make the National Socialists more palatable to the middle class, opposed the Rural People’s Movement, a popular anti-Weimar tax revolt, which was commendably trying to blow up buildings in Berlin. Thomas Meaney, Harper’s Magazine , 16 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for aggrieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggrieve
Verb
  • Whenever grief has perturbed him, Caballero has processed it through creativity.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
  • However, some users are perturbed by the new home screen.
    Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Losses from cattle afflicted by the parasite could run into the billions of dollars, with larger effects across the American economy, according to USDA estimates.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 2 June 2026
  • The incursion was the latest in a litany of drone incidents — from both Russia and Ukraine — to afflict NATO member states and leave the 32-member trans-Atlantic organization on edge, drawing strong condemnation from Romania’s allies.
    Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • In a powerful and disquieting GQ profile, the band and some immediate friends and family unraveled the struggles that have plagued their lucrative but life-altering reunion, a kind of cautionary tale for leveling up after settling down.
    Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 4 May 2026
  • The author calculated the shock wave’s energy that would be deposited in a human body by using physics similar to that of a bullet impact, which, though disquieting to say the least, is not a bad assumption from a scientific standpoint.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The criminal mastermind, created by author Arthur Conan Doyle to torment his famously observant protagonist, is set to star in his own drama series from Archery Pictures and Fremantle.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 28 May 2026
  • Torres continues to show great flair in writing for Oscar winners, though, with Portman playing a mother delighted by her daughter’s interest in a step-child doll to torment.
    Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • In a third discomposing show of baseball in as many days, the Brewers fell, 8-6, to the lowly A's, who looked like anything but in an emphatic weekend-long dismantling of a team that entered in first place.
    Journal Sentinel, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2023
Verb
  • Those who survived were often maimed for life, in body and in spirit.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
  • Joshua Booth, 51, was charged with one count of willfully or maliciously torture, maim or mutilate an animal kept for companionship or pleasure causing death, a category B felony under Nevada law, according to the Clark County District Attorney's Office.
    James Powel, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Barkov has three goals and eight assists in the tournament including one of each Saturday as the Finns upset Canada 4-2 to reach the title game.
    Greg Cote May 31, Miami Herald, 31 May 2026
  • After the last couple shows, I’ve been flooded with messages from fans that were upset by her rants.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 31 May 2026
Verb
  • She was arrested at a hotel near the barn and booked at the Clark County Juvenile Hall on 12 counts of animal cruelty, including intentionally aiming or torturing a horse, as well as three counts of malicious destruction of property.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 1 June 2026
  • She was later transported to the Clark County Juvenile Hall and charged with 12 counts of willful or malicious killing, maiming or torturing an animal and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property valued at more than $5,000, police said.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Aggrieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggrieve. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.

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