Definition of grievancenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grievance contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of grievance are injury, injustice, and wrong. While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

a list of employee grievances

When is injury a more appropriate choice than grievance?

While the synonyms injury and grievance are close in meaning, injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

When could injustice be used to replace grievance?

The words injustice and grievance can be used in similar contexts, but injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

When is it sensible to use wrong instead of grievance?

In some situations, the words wrong and grievance are roughly equivalent. However, wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

determined to right society's wrongs

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 grievance In 2023, Rajasthan became the first state to pass a law regulating the gig economy, creating a dedicated welfare board to establish a social security fund and addressing grievances. Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026 While nationwide protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini centered on women’s rights and state repression, the current demonstrations are rooted primarily in economic grievances, with protesters in several cities now openly directing their anger at Iran’s political leadership. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026 Some sort of ancient act of revenge, or a grievance against the local government, possibly? Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 Seeing that conservative grievance politics could generate a profit, other artists leaned into MAGA music. Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grievance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievance
Noun
  • And the government’s insistence that Iranians must make sacrifices for distant causes breeds resentment rather than unity.
    Kamran Talattof, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Juggling careers and kids takes a toll on families, and housework often is fraught with resentments over who is doing it.
    Tracee M. Herbaugh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Until Verizon amends its complaint and the judge rules on the emergency request, there is no court directive preventing the association from moving forward with the rooftop work that Verizon says would interrupt wireless service in the area.
    David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Beyond the service commitments, the complaint accuses HMM of conditioning access to space on the payment of peak season surcharges (PSS) and other extra-contractual fees—despite contract language that expressly barred such add-ons unless mutually agreed.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Still, the Bulldogs’ defensive back doesn’t harbor any grudges toward Sanders, nor CU.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026
  • The strength of the Republican appeal to isolationism is essentially one of political revenge, a feeling that now is the time to settle old scores and old grudges.
    Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025
  • Deciphering the vocalizations involves both sound and context, as a dog’s bark or whine may be tied to its situation, Zhu said.
    Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While Nicole Kidman appeared to settle her divorce from Keith Urban quickly and without much fuss, a less amicable situation reportedly unfolded behind the scenes, in part due to the painful aftermath of her 2001 divorce from first husband Tom Cruise.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Vongerichten didn’t get his reputation for nothing; try his signature tuna tartare with avocado, radish, and a ginger marinade and you’ll be reminded what the fuss is about.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Imagine a city street at dusk, silent save for the rising sound of a collective guttural moan.
    Tom Duszynski, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Stein’s bedroom adjoined the room where Dodge would visit her lover at night; kept awake by the murmurings and moans, Stein lit a candle and composed a portrait of her host.
    Via Scribner, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grievance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievance. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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