GRIEVANCE Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'grievance' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of grievance are injury , injustice , and wrong . While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint. // a list of employee grievances

Q: When is 'injury' a more appropriate choice than 'grievance'?

While the synonyms injury and grievance are close in meaning, injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation. // libel constitutes a legal injury

Q: When could 'injustice' be used to replace 'grievance'?

The words injustice and grievance can be used in similar contexts, but injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights. // the injustices suffered by the lower classes

Q: When is it sensible to use 'wrong' instead of 'grievance'?

In some situations, the words wrong and grievance are roughly equivalent. However, wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice. // determined to right society's wrongs

grievance

noun

ˈgrē-vən(t)s

Definition of grievance

as in resentment

a lingering ill will towards a person for a real or imagined wrong this is no place to air your grievances against him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in complaint

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment she decided to file a formal grievance against the utility company

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun grievance contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of grievance are injury, injustice, and wrong. While all these words mean "an act that inflicts undeserved hurt," grievance applies to a circumstance or condition that constitutes an injustice to the sufferer and gives just ground for complaint.

a list of employee grievances

When is injury a more appropriate choice than grievance?

While the synonyms injury and grievance are close in meaning, injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

When could injustice be used to replace grievance?

The words injustice and grievance can be used in similar contexts, but injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

When is it sensible to use wrong instead of grievance?

In some situations, the words wrong and grievance are roughly equivalent. However, wrong applies also in law to any act punishable according to the criminal code; it may apply more generally to any flagrant injustice.

determined to right society's wrongs

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 grievance This year, campaigners are pushing for greater political representation in parliament to address long-term grievances and potentially shape the next government coalition. — Ilan Ben Zion, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct. 2026 Yet the combination of grievance politics, inter-generational unfairness and an inescapable sense of decline is what makes France feel so fragile despite its size and its still considerable strengths. — Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 However, after airing out their grievances in the Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, and in Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare, the couple has taken a different approach in the last few years. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 Oct. 2026 But in the weeks since, the student protests have rapidly expanded to encompass a wider range of grievances around inequality, high living costs and public services. — Caitlin Dewey, Vox, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grievance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievance

Noun

Behavioral science research shows that when change is imposed from above, employees push back productivity drops, and resentment rises.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
The episode was a bitter lesson for the group, resulting in resentment and division.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of resentment

Noun

The attorney’s complaint to Internal Affairs alleged Sguros used his position as a police officer to assume control of West’s property and said Sguros was pursuing a civil case related to the home.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
In response, Argentine congresswoman Marcela Pagano filed a criminal complaint with the Federal Court of Puerto Iguazú regarding Bolsonaro’s entry and his subsequent departure on a private plane.

— Florencia Cabral, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of complaint

Noun

Our Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog saw them too and enthusiastically let out a small whine.

— Kody Lostroh, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2026
The mystic whine of Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry’s score carries us into a hidden world of ancient Thai deities living inside the mountain’s caves and tunnels.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of whine

Noun

Their clients, like the classic Vegas-chapel clientele, didn’t want the fuss of a giant ceremony or just didn’t have the guests.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2026
When chef Clay Conley and the Ember Group opened the second location of Conley’s popular Palm Beach restaurant Buccan in Coral Gables earlier this year, diners flocked to see what the fuss was about.

— Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of fuss

Browse Nearby Words

griefs

grievance

grievances

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Style

“Grievance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievance. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of grievance

noun

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