1
as in harsh
difficult to endure
the months of chemotherapy seemed almost as grievous an affliction as the cancer itself
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2
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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3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
a grievous wound that requires a doctor's immediate attention
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4
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
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Recent Examples of grievous
No sin is too grievous for His mercy.
—
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Her governments oversaw sustained economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and the establishment of a war crimes tribunal to prosecute those responsible for committing grievous crimes during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026
Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after being charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
In 2012, The Hollywood Reporter – the same trade magazine that recently lamented a downturn in animal rentals – published an exposé cataloging incidents in which animals died, were injured or were put at grievous risk on sets.
—Cynthia Chris, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Her governments oversaw sustained economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and the establishment of a war crimes tribunal to prosecute those responsible for committing grievous crimes during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026
Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after being charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
In 2012, The Hollywood Reporter – the same trade magazine that recently lamented a downturn in animal rentals – published an exposé cataloging incidents in which animals died, were injured or were put at grievous risk on sets.
—Cynthia Chris, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous
Adjective
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The flap has also brought harsh criticism from prominent people in Miami, including former Democratic congressman Joe Garcia.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Without excessive optimism, in a world that is becoming harsher, the Festival, on the contrary, is opening up and improving.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The result was a painful correction.—
Robert Ginsburg,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
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The most painful part of the quarter-long dry spell was that Oklahoma City seemed to have all the answers during San Antonio’s explosive first half.—
William Guillory,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Brith had shut her eyes, finding that the sparks were still living on the inside of the lids, vivid in their dangerous dark.—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
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Carpenter says the disturbing encounters left her fearful for her safety and that of relatives living with her, as police label the suspect’s fixation irrational and increasingly dangerous.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Emergency responders say the toddler's death is a tragic reminder of how dangerous the water is, especially at this time of year when peak water flows are being recorded.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
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During closing arguments on Monday, an attorney for the family of the two boys called on the jury to assess hundreds of millions of dollars in damages, rejecting the defense contention that what occurred was a tragic accident.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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For her, the aftermath of that victory brought heightened anxiety, and searing criticism from outsiders when the Swedish pro’s play took a dip.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Though Boys sometimes sees Watt take searing leads reminiscent of McCartney’s ’60s and ’70s guitar foils, like George Harrison, just as often, McCartney is playing almost everything himself.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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The immigrant-detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, deep in the Florida Everglades, stands out as a uniquely cruel publicity stunt with an absurdly high price tag, in which much of the money goes into just a few pockets.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
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Therefore, a second execution would not violate the prohibition on double jeopardy or on the imposition of cruel punishment.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Nearly as well-respected as DEET, picaridin is highly effective against the most hazardous mosquito breeds and, notably, won’t damage plastic or some synthetic fibers the way DEET does.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
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Strong longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties and other hazardous areas.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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There’s no question that this unfortunate cocktail of corruption, inefficiency, and simple incompetence is holding the country back.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
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Unfortunately, going cold turkey off a central nervous system depressant like GHB has some pretty unfortunate side-effects.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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