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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dangerous

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Assault and grievous bodily harm charges, which the pair denied, were dropped, as was a charge Brown faced of having an offensive weapon. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 July 2026 In return for the guilty plea, prosecutors dropped charges of assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and having an offensive weapon. — CNN Money, 24 July 2026 The singer was arrested in May 2025 and charged with assault, suspicion of grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon (a tequila bottle). — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 24 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for grievous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous

Adjective

This has been complicated further by the Iran war energy shock which is a harsh wake-up call for Southeast Asia.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Even when used on its own, bleach is incredibly harsh and can strip your floors’ finish, leaving it vulnerable to damage, discoloration, and dullness over time.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

After the Great Depression, school districts revisited the idea during the energy crisis of the 1970s, following the 1973 Arab oil embargo and the painful years of stagflation that followed.

— Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS HIDDEN ILLNESS — Country star reveals the painful symptom that led to cancer diagnosis.

— , FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

Wickline came on as an increasingly flustered Anthropic CEO, Dario Amodei, who’s explaining why AI is dangerous without taking any responsibility for that.

— Rima Parikh, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026
The slow-moving storm, which killed a New York City housing authority worker when a tree fell Saturday, was expected to linger through Sunday with heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous surf all the way to New England.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Singer discussed their tragic loss in the wake of news that Jamie Lee Curtis will be honored by the inaugural Michele and Rob Reiner Champion for Change Award.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
Tor is a remote mountain community where tragic events took place that remain unsolved to this day.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

After winning the prestigious Golden Eye, Plambech returns with another searing analysis of the immigrant experience.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
The durable porcelain enamel exterior resists chipping and cracking, while the matte black interior enhances browning and searing.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of searing

Adjective

In the book, MacLachlan recalls being utterly dumbfounded at having been asked to do something so oblivious at best and cruel at worst.

— Rachel Brodsky, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Many of them, including Ned and his childhood friend and rival, Roland, are scarred by their time as youth players, haunted by memories of the sadistic coaches and cruel, competitive fathers who terrorized them both on and off the court.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

Officials urged residents to monitor forecasts as hazardous weather was expected through the weekend.

— Leah Willingham, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Atlanta’s snow-day reality When Atlanta gets meaningful snow or ice, AWD can help; but the larger problem is that the roads themselves become hazardous and other drivers may be unprepared.

— Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

These unfortunate souls were supposed to stay in their birthplace, hoping church charity would sustain them.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
Artistic but flighty, Deborah ends up at her parents’ alma mater when an unfortunate incident gets her NYU Tisch School of the Arts acceptance rescinded.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

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“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of grievous

adjective

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