aggrieve

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 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 Foreigners who aggrieve the Chinese Communist Party seriously enough typically get banned from the country. Tiffany Ap, Quartz, 4 Feb. 2022 See All Example Sentences for aggrieve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aggrieve
Verb
  • The deal for Wirtz alone is so astronomical that Manchester City and Bayern Munich were perturbed.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The real cherry on top with the forthcoming encounter is that Apophis will be perturbed by Earth's gravitational pull.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily, and most severely, afflicts children.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 July 2025
  • But the results are admirably smooth, low in acidity, and free of the tannic bitterness that afflicts most quick cold brews.
    Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Vessel’s lyrics seem disquieted by the attention, though.
    August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • Many here see her as the embodiment of an America undergoing a cultural shift that threatens the heritage and political sensibilities of an old frontier town disquieted by changing times and suspicious of alternative lifestyles.
    Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • This is the meat of the film, tormenting Jeanne with all the possibilities (a friendly policeman tracks Suzanne to Belgium, where the trail goes cold).
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 10 July 2025
  • Jeon, another accomplished actress, known for her roles in Harbin, Glitch and Vincenzo, also creates a relatable character, one tormented by her own visions of evil.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • On Tuesday, Pelosi also took a shot at Trump for pardoning all of the Jan. 6 rioters, including those who maimed police officers.
    Ian Swanson, The Hill, 10 June 2025
  • Charlie’s character isn’t afraid to save people by maiming them.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 June 2025
Verb
  • The fans say they are upset by the Galaxy management’s silence amid ICE’s presence in the Latino community.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
  • Hedden observed the interaction and took the woman into custody, and records written by police said Hunt Jr. got upset and grabbed his cousin, interfering with her arrest.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Jon Burge extracted a false confession from Wilson by beating him and torturing him with electrical shocks, according to Wilson’s lawsuit.
    Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
  • Some were arrested, some allegedly tortured, others beaten up, even killed, according to Azeri media.
    Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Our campaigns are well-funded, but are mostly driven by opposition to bad policy and alienating rhetoric, rather than belief in change.
    Sara Forman, New York Daily News, 8 July 2025
  • Whether aligned with Trump or against him, Musk’s involvement with politics has alienated some investors who think his political maneuvering has distracted him from focusing on Tesla’s success.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Aggrieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggrieve. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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