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
Paul Doyle, 53, was also charged with dangerous driving and five other counts claiming different variations of causing grievous bodily harm, Prosecutor Sarah Hammond said.
—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
He is being charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
According to the Metropolitan Police, the arrest stems from a February 2023 incident in Hanover Square, London, where Brown is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a music producer.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025
He is accused of causing grievous bodily harm by throwing a tequila bottle in a nightclub in Manchester in 2023.
—Patrick Smith, NBC news, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
He is being charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
According to the Metropolitan Police, the arrest stems from a February 2023 incident in Hanover Square, London, where Brown is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a music producer.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025
He is accused of causing grievous bodily harm by throwing a tequila bottle in a nightclub in Manchester in 2023.
—Patrick Smith, NBC news, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous
Adjective
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Netflix released the trailer for the reality TV show on YouTube on Wednesday, which starts with a voice-over of a cheerleader talking about how the DCC will always be in each other’s lives before explaining the harsh reality of trying out to be a Cowboys cheerleader with all the talent.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
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Of the treaty’s three American signers—John Adams, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin—Franklin was said to have taken the harshest line against the loyalists.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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For millions of Americans, the road to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is slow and painful, sought only when symptoms become unmistakable.—
Louise Jacobsen Fisher,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
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And sometimes, that transformation, though painful, can deepen our capacity for compassion, connection, and appreciation for the precious gift of life itself.—
Charell G. Coleman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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An emergency room doctor explains why opioids are so dangerous. 2️⃣ ‘Absolute sh*tshow’: NASA scientists are in limbo after the Trump administration proposed eliminating the Goddard Institute for Space Studies.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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This is not just the story of that tragic moment and that heinous crime.—
Samantha Balaban,
NPR,
14 June 2025
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In Variety's new profile of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery — the legendary resting place for many industry titans in Los Angeles — co-owner Tyler Cassity revealed that Yelchin's parents, Irina and Viktor, visit the actor's grave nearly every day, nine years after his tragic death at 27.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
EW.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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His breakthrough role proved to be a history-making one too, securing the part of David, aka Tsotsi, in Gavin Hood’s searing 2005 crime drama Tsotsi.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2025
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And of all the heartbreak Indiana has caused Knicks fans over the years, this might be the most searing.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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And for every San Antonio, there is a Utah or Washington or Charlotte that can’t believe how cruel the lottery can be.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
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This is cruel, unnecessary, and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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What To Know There are currently no major wildfires reported in the areas, but officials warned that hazardous conditions could rapidly change this status.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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The attempts to reach the group were not successful because of the hazardous conditions, so a boat was deployed to rescue the group, troopers said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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The polished old pro bent time and space, keeping the unfortunate new work to a minimum and running through his hits, reliving, nearly chronologically, the thrill of experiencing his catalog all over again at a speed run.—
Abe Beame,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
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An unfortunate series of events in the eighth inning led to the Brewers going up 3-1.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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