Definition of grievancenext

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 Several of the posts appeared to target Trump grievances. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026 The office's 2024 report — presented to Council in December 2025 — showed that the office received 813 formal grievances against the Police Department from community members. Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026 His comments were grievance-filled, narcissistic, conspiratorial, factually false, divisive, and insulting. Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026 And the company has committed a host of unfair labor practices, including firing a member of the bargaining committee, punishing a worker for filing a grievance against management and making changes to working conditions without giving the union notice, UFCW officials alleged. Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grievance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievance
Noun
  • The unstoppable force of Sally’s resentment and the immovable object of Theo’s perseverance are not an ideal dramatic combination.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • But soaring costs, inequality, and youth unemployment saw resentment grow against her Awami League, which was banned from taking part in Thursday’s election.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • That was despite Kaley’s mother’s attempts to use third-party software to block access to the platforms, according to her complaint.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In 2021, the phone call from Rhoades at the insurance department described 50-plus complaints.
    J.C. Hallman, Oklahoman, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • This one-year penance business reeks of score-settling, petty grudges and arm-twisting.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Some can hold grudges for years.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.
    Antonia Quirke, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
  • These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Then, without much fuss, group two starts to prepare for their talent show.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2026
  • What’s behind all the fuss, of almost 180k glowing reviews on Amazon?
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The song eventually escalates into a lecherous, breathless, glittering climax of incandescent synthesizers and melodic moans—an erotic asphyxiation depicted as utterly glorious.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.
    Ruby Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grievance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievance. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on grievance

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