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
When a Russian cruise missile hit the restaurant, Amelina suffered grievous head injuries, and lost consciousness.
—
Nelly Klos
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Arch-conservative Ronald Reagan acknowledging that a grievous wrong had been done to these people, by the American government, and making some small measure of amends along with the Congress.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Frith, of Sidcup, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on July 8.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Assad’s atrocities include leading the regime charged with killing more than 200,000 civilians, disappearing more than 96,000 people, torturing to death more than 15,000 people, and carrying out grievous attacks against civilians using chemical weapons, cluster munitions, and incendiary bombs.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Nelly Klos
september 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
Arch-conservative Ronald Reagan acknowledging that a grievous wrong had been done to these people, by the American government, and making some small measure of amends along with the Congress.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Frith, of Sidcup, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on July 8.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Assad’s atrocities include leading the regime charged with killing more than 200,000 civilians, disappearing more than 96,000 people, torturing to death more than 15,000 people, and carrying out grievous attacks against civilians using chemical weapons, cluster munitions, and incendiary bombs.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous
Adjective
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Why do some chocolate bars exhibit complex flavor notes like floral, caramel, and gentle woody, while others taste harsh, bitter, and astringent?—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Oct. 2025
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Where rallies are taking place Nearly daily protests in metro Detroit this year have been observed as being peaceful, though sometimes Trump supporters and protesters exchange harsh words.—
Darcie Moran,
Freep.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There’s a wonderful chapter in which an older woman extolls a younger one to tell a painful story not with words, but with movements, so as to expel her pain without enlisting narrative’s power to summon, and thus force a re-living, of painful events.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
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If anything, Peck hoped that the film’s density and wide scope would illuminate how frequently the past’s most painful moments repeat themselves.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This means too much potassium in your blood, which can be dangerous if not treated.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
20 Oct. 2025
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The Mark is a spy flick centered on Eden (Alba), an enigmatic spy on a covert and dangerous mission.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Some cases have had tragic consequences, such as 35-year-old Alex Taylor, who struggled with Asperger’s syndrome, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder, per Rolling Stone.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
19 Oct. 2025
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Following psychic researchers in search of spirits in a New England house with a tragic past, The Haunting trades leering ghouls and jump scares for atmosphere and suggestion, cultivating a cloud of dread that hangs like a heavy blanket over audiences.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Written by Mahdi Asghari Azghadi and directed by Puya Mofid, this searing Iranian drama unfolds within the confines of an elementary school, where a teacher’s harsh discipline leaves a young Black student traumatized and voiceless.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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High-temperature cooking methods such as grilling, broiling, roasting, frying and searing can increase AGE content in food up to 100-fold compared to uncooked versions, according to a 2004 Mount Sinai study that measured AGE content under laboratory conditions.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In Dahl’s original story, the Muggle-Wumps are clever and resourceful, using their smarts to turn the tables on their cruel captors.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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On the page, these serve to paint him in a monstrous light following his abandonment by his egotistical and cruel creator, Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac).—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Heavy snow and strong winds could impact major routes, isolate higher-elevation communities, and create hazardous conditions for early-season recreation.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Use your low beam headlights, slow down, and be prepared for periods of hazardous driving conditions.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is unfortunate, because part of what makes Moose Jaw historically significant is that the opposite of what is claimed at the Tunnels is true.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
20 Oct. 2025
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This current injury sounds like something that is a result of something unfortunate away from the game, which is why everyone is being so cryptic.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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