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 The pair had been charged with more serious offenses of attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm and a less serious charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, which the pair had denied and were due to go to trial in October. — Sam Tobin, USA Today, 24 July 2026 During his arraignment a month later, Brown pleaded not guilty to one count of attempting to unlawfully and maliciously cause grievous bodily harm with intent. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026 Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, were found guilty by a jury last month of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 Mazzer was found guilty on two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent, and the documents noted that there had been a dispute between Garland and the people who were stabbed. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for grievous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous

Adjective

In both premise and execution, the show is hugely reminiscent of the Showtime series of the aughts and early 2010s that featured women in harsh circumstances going to extremes in order to get one over on a society that didn’t care about them.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Although he would not be drawn on future product pricing, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are set for release in September and will be affected by the harsh trading conditions.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

In a series of video interludes that break up the performance into acts, Grande plays Peaches, a woman who wants to undergo a procedure to erase her painful memories.

— Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
But any movement that engages her core muscles — bending, turning, stretching — is painful and debilitating.

— Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 31 July 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

Despite Penta's aggressive offense and dangerous maneuvers, Gable persevered, ultimately making Penta submit with a decisive ankle lock, securing a triumphant and emotional victory.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Three wildfires are burning in Spokane County, Washington, and thousands of families have been ordered to flee their homes overnight, as state officials warn of an incredibly dangerous situation and brace for what daylight may reveal.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Further, for a couple like the Warners, who had kept their relationship private, this matter has drawn unwanted attention to a family mourning a tragic loss.

— Morgan Mouchette, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
This true story follows his ultimately tragic path hiking in the uncharted wilderness of Alaska.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 31 July 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

Arguably the highest-profile contract cancellation for Flock came when the Los Angeles Police Department decided to non-renew its years-long contract with the company, a decision motivated by a searing internal audit of the company’s technology.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 6 Aug. 2026
The searing new memoir, ‘The Wound Is Where the Light Enters,’ details Young’s journey from a mandatory life sentence to freedom through self-education and an extraordinary legal fight.

— Julia M. Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of searing

Adjective

The system also avoided hazardous conditions while controlling the spacecraft’s orientation, showing how autonomous software could reduce dependence on ground commands during military and scientific missions.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Aug. 2026
Authorities continue to warn the public about the dangers of the Kern River, describing it as extremely hazardous even for experienced swimmers.

— Denis Akbari, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

That is unfortunate for wagon loyalists, but the V60 gets to leave without an awkward farewell edition or cosmetic gimmicks.

— Josh Max, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
This is especially unfortunate since there’s currently more content mastered in Dolby Vision HDR than in HDR10+, the competing high dynamic range standard.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026