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 Brown and Akinlolu initially were set to face a trial over assault and grievous bodily harm charges, but the charges were later dropped. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 2026 He was charged with assault, suspicion of grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026 But his reputation was dealt a grievous blow by the Epstein files, which showed that Botstein corresponded closely with the late financier for years, including after Epstein’s conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 For the United States, that means encouraging reform, including human rights protections, and calling off the bargain that has allowed autocratic allies to get away with grievous repression. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grievous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous

Adjective

However, perovskites are notoriously vulnerable to moisture and harsh chemical environments, posing a clear problem in seawater.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
With another harsh winter approaching, those still there face death from hunger or disease.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of harsh

Adjective

In November 2021, crew members took shelter inside their spacecraft after a Russian anti-satellite weapons test created a dangerous cloud of debris.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
In 2015, Chicago’s public health department identified three cases of invasive meningococcal disease, a highly dangerous pathogen that can kill within hours.

— Julie Morita, Time, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of dangerous

Adjective

Flanagan incorporates video interviews as a framing device, in which surviving witnesses recount their memories of the tragic events.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
The best memories can sometimes come to the forefront, but Jay’s first memories of his dad are really tragic ones.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

Interviews are supplemented with archival clips of Perry’s screen work and interviews, and some of the show’s most searing material is conveyed in the actor’s own (previously recorded and publicized) voice.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026
The result of hours of chopping, searing, and mixing is our second annual Gear of the Year list.

— Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of searing

Adjective

Participants fell into their roles a little too well and, after a prisoner rebellion, increasingly cruel forms of punishment from the guards and a number of students suffering mental breakdowns, the experiment was ended on the sixth day.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 25 Oct. 2026
But these townswomen — whether the undersexed Bakerwoman (Ella Bruccoleri ) or the prim, cruel busybody the Tailor’s Wife (a deliciously scheming Elizabeth Debicki) — are deeply unhappy with their own lot in life.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of cruel

Adjective

If enough collisions occur, certain orbital regions could become extremely hazardous for future missions.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Today, the vast majority of this hazardous waste remains locked in temporary storage facilities across the globe.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of hazardous

Adjective

For many people, however, the presentation instead bears an uncanny and unfortunate resemblance to imagery used in Nazi-era Germany.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The Giannis Antetokounmpo era is off to an unfortunate start, as the Heat is 0-2 to start a season for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026