AGGRIEVE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

aggrieve

verb

Definition of aggrieve

as in to perturb

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Dissimilar Words

as in to afflict

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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 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

In another study conducted around the same time, Picard found that perturbing mitochondria changed their host cell’s gene expression and growth, even when the organelles’ ability to transform energy was unchanged.

— Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026
The satellites orbit thousands of kilometers above the Earth, well above altitudes where wisps of atmosphere can perturb their orbits.

— Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 8 July 2026

Definition of perturb

Verb

Other writers have successfully captured the malaise afflicting the under-45 crowd and offered nutrient-dense characters.

— Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
One hour of media day player interviews, amid all the narratives afflicting the sport, felt like a long time to hold your breath.

— Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of afflict

Verb

The light is always ‘slanted,’ casting the novel’s gnomic creations in disquieting atmospherics.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
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

Definition of disquiet

Verb

When the discovery of new evidence results in Cady’s freedom, his new mission is to torment Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson), the attorney and prosecutor on his case, who are now married and have two teenaged children.

— Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Picture LeBron in his advanced age tormenting the Knicks one more time, denying them a two-peat, before beating the Spurs or Thunder in the finals.

— Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of torment

Verb

He was previously charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (scissors) and assault with intent to maim, and he was convicted of arson.

— Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 July 2026
Even in 2026, the category’s identity is anchored in infamous scenes of maiming, torture, and cathartic bloodshed.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Definition of maim

Verb

Many outside of Stamford Bridge will be upset at how the English Football Association have followed UEFA’s and the Premier League’s lead by deciding against a points deduction.

— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Sánchez’s recent visit to Morocco’s regional rival Algeria, reportedly upset those in Rabat.

— Jamie Timson, TheWeek, 31 July 2026

Definition of upset

Verb

On his latest Hyperdub release, the Japanese producer born Takahide Higuchi sings more than on previous records but tortures his voice through a gauntlet of pitch-shifter effects.

— Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
Just as Lauren warned Porsha to be careful fighting with Shamea because Shamea knows exactly how to rile her up, Porsha knows how to play the perfect mind game to torture her ex bestie.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 27 July 2026

Definition of torture

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“Aggrieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aggrieve. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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