GRIEVOUS Synonyms: 221 Similar and Opposite Words

grievous

adjective

ˈgrē-vəs

Definition of grievous

as in harsh

difficult to endure the months of chemotherapy seemed almost as grievous an affliction as the cancer itself

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in painful

hard to accept or bear especially emotionally the death of a spouse can be a grievous loss from which one never recovers

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as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury a grievous wound that requires a doctor's immediate attention

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as in tragic

of a kind to cause great distress the grievous cost of the war in human lives weighed heavily on the president's mind

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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 grievous This is because when reviewing anything as one would a mechanical device, any flaw encountered is a grievous error. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 Here are some of the helpers who rose so fiercely to the grievous occasion. — Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026 The mass shooting that claimed 49 lives and injured dozens of others—the deadliest hate crime targeting LGBTQ+ people in American history—still leaves a grievous mark, most especially in a city, state and nation besieged with new attacks on the gay community. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 This incident seems to have been the result of two coinciding oversights, rather than one grievous wrong. — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for grievous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous

Adjective

Wear rubber gloves because the cleaning ingredients are harsh, and scrub the inside of the oven door.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 11 July 2026
Pioneer Girl was considered too harsh about the realities of frontier life.

— Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

Biomimicked medical glue, inspired by the slime of a common garden slug (Arion subfuscus), can bond to bloody tissue and holds great promise for surgical applications and the treatment of painful lesions.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026
For the past two decades, since I’d endured a painful divorce, the New York Times daily puzzle has been my source of comfort.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

But trade theft cases in Silicon Valley are usually pointless and tragic because information finds a way out of companies anyway.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 11 July 2026
Thamman pointed to the tragic outcome for Freya the friendly walrus, who went viral online in 2022 for climbing onto small boats to sunbathe in the Oslo Fjord.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

From searing heat waves to regulatory rollbacks, sustainability is a tough topic for global leaders.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Set the scene With a prime position on the shores of Lake Constance at the confluence of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein, Buff Medical Resort is a brand new beast with searing ambition.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026

Definition of searing

Adjective

The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the lack of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s cruelest consequences.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

For many women, painful periods are treated as an unfortunate but normal part of life.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Instead, the meddling radiated corruption over due process of an unfortunate but longstanding rule that has remedies seldom invoked in the middle of the World Cup.

— Vahe Gregorian July 7, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026