GRIEVOUS Synonyms: 221 Similar and Opposite Words

grievous

adjective

ˈgrē-vəs

Definition of grievous next

as in harsh

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

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Relevance

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 The jury was also unable to reach a verdict for charges faced by Corner, who was accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent for hitting a police sergeant with a sledgehammer. —

Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026 Papa Polizzi didn't take any grievous action against Farber, who ended up advancing Snooki to the fifth week of competition. —

Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026 Following the attack, an unidentified 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and released on bail, according to Leicestershire Police. —

Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 28 Dec. 2025 The 54-year-old last month pleaded guilty to charges including nine counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and 17 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, on what would have been the first day of his trial. —

CNN Money, 16 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grievous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous

Adjective

Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.

— Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Mar. 2026
Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026