1
as in harsh
difficult to endure
the months of chemotherapy seemed almost as grievous an affliction as the cancer itself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
a grievous wound that requires a doctor's immediate attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
This is because when reviewing anything as one would a mechanical device, any flaw encountered is a grievous error.
—
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
Here are some of the helpers who rose so fiercely to the grievous occasion.
—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
The mass shooting that claimed 49 lives and injured dozens of others—the deadliest hate crime targeting LGBTQ+ people in American history—still leaves a grievous mark, most especially in a city, state and nation besieged with new attacks on the gay community.
—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
This incident seems to have been the result of two coinciding oversights, rather than one grievous wrong.
—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Literary Hub,
26 June 2026
Here are some of the helpers who rose so fiercely to the grievous occasion.
—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
The mass shooting that claimed 49 lives and injured dozens of others—the deadliest hate crime targeting LGBTQ+ people in American history—still leaves a grievous mark, most especially in a city, state and nation besieged with new attacks on the gay community.
—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
This incident seems to have been the result of two coinciding oversights, rather than one grievous wrong.
—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous
Adjective
-
White settlers and frontier pioneers built vast, fenceless cattle stations, battling harsh environments and disease, embracing a hard-living culture that exists to this day.
-
Dish Soap Using harsh chemicals on the outside of your toilet bowl and fixtures is not recommended, according to Meagher.
Adjective
-
And that says something painful about what my country has become, and my place in it.
-
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the absence of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s most painful consequences.
Adjective
-
Teri handled higher-value finds and saw that potentially dangerous items – like firearms and knives – got to the local sheriff’s office.
-
Looking back through the sequence, Brazil have good numbers back and there is little need for anyone to overcommit — but a lazy tackle from behind leads to a free kick in a dangerous area.
Adjective
-
Anything tragic that happened to minorities was inevitable and necessary.
-
Titled ‘Forever 20′, it has been placed on 97 Avenue, close to the stadium’s Main Stand, on the eve of the first anniversary of their tragic passing in a car crash in Spain last July.
Adjective
-
On Wednesday, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch outlined a slew of challenges facing the city this weekend, including huge Independence Day celebrations, a World Cup match and a searing heat wave.
-
What began as searing pain in one of his arms was now a relentless ache in his chest.
Adjective
-
The heat has become so unbearable in Japan that weather officials in April announced a new term for days when maximum temperatures exceed 104 degrees — kokushobi, meaning harsh or cruel heat, according to the Japan Times.
-
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the lack of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s cruelest consequences.
Adjective
-
Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
-
Response efforts were slowed as debris blocked roads and live wires created hazardous conditions.
Adjective
-
As attendees were escorted out of the Great American State Fair on Sunday because of inclement weather, guests noticed an unfortunate typo displayed on a digital billboard at the National Mall.
-
They should be trained not to ask a bunch of questions about the medical condition, express doubt, comment that the timing is unfortunate or share private information with co-workers.
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
