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 Auburn fans, already incensed by the previous ruling, aired their grievances fully. Seth Emerson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that while the couple has been attempting to rebrand their image, their public airing of private family grievances won't be forgotten. Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025 Campbell filed a grievance with the discipline board in 2023 alleging ineffective assistance of counsel. Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 6 Oct. 2025 In response, Wilkins filed a grievance with the NFLPA. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grievance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievance
Noun
  • Employees grumble over who gets to park where and how offices were allocated (or who got an office with walls in the first place), exposing deep resentments about favoritism, status, and fairness.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025
  • These moments remind us that the work of peace must also begin at home, in towns, schools, and neighborhoods, wherever intolerance and resentment take root across the world.
    Muhammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The report was released as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau received record high numbers of complaints about auto loans.
    Michael Wayland, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
  • The complaint cites just three examples of transgender athletes on girls’ teams in Maine, including the pole-vaulter.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Arguing and holding grudges do not lead to great outcomes for our children.
    Pioneer Press elections team, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The episodes included many famous guests, including Obama, as well as Robin Williams and Paul McCartney, and offered a revealing look at Maron’s own life, with the host often talking about his personal life, pet peeves and grudges and relationships with the guests on the show.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The unfiltered electric soundtrack of the Evija goes from a piercing whine to an ear-splitting shriek.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Each one brings serious value without any fuss.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Fazit Looking to level up your makeup without the fuss?
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
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 21 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grievance

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