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 My homeland, my place and people, were diminishing, and this was permanently shocking and grievous to me. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Mullan, of Shanmullagh Park, in Draperstown, is charged with causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving and perverting the course of justice, according to BBC Northern Ireland. — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 28 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 See All Example Sentences for grievous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous

Adjective

And now those still left in the battered city along Ukraine's southeastern front face death from hunger or disease as another harsh winter looms, with no agreement in sight for even a humanitarian evacuation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Despite low winds and little rain, harsh surf continues to wreak havoc along Southern California's coastal communities.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

His path crosses with Naoko, a Japanese tourist carrying the weight of a painful past, and Ruby, a young child searching for his parents.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Rising financial strains on American workers are forcing them to make painful trade-offs, such as skipping medical care, to make ends meet, new research shows.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

Swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 Oct. 2026
Fresh to strong winds will produce dangerous boating conditions, high surf, life-threatening rip currents, and moderate beach erosion through at least the first half of the coming week, forecasters said.

— Felix Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Encouragement from his longtime confidante and collaborator helped the comedian write about the loss of his beloved home before Reiner’s tragic killing in December 2025 alongside his wife, Michele, in Brentwood.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Reynolds, a Black disabled man with a limb difference, is given a character of substance that isn’t tragic or inspirational.

— Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 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 response to legislation to end the cruelty once and for all, the Daily News once again trotted out its old and tired defense of this cruel, deadly and outdated industry.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026
Policing cringe is the cruelest métier of the internet—the origin of harassment campaigns and platforming of contempt.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

Ultimately, the greatest impacts will be determined by the storm's track, but periods of heavy rain and wind, along coastal flooding, beach erosion, and hazardous surf are a concern, especially for the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Preliminary tests indicate the substance is not hazardous; the letters prompted evacuations and police responses, with no injuries reported in the California incidents described.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

Neighbors shocked about stabbing Neighbors say Thomas was known to have mental health issues and called the stabbing unfortunate.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
To make matters worse, India’s Supreme Court, another vital democratic institution, has also played an unfortunate role in this train of events.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026