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
This, despite the fact that in New York City, injuries to pedestrians from bicycles are vanishingly rare, while grievous injuries to both pedestrians and cyclists from cars are common.
—
Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
An unnamed 16-year-old boy received an 18-month supervision order after admitting to grievous bodily harm, and an unnamed 17-year-old girl will be sentenced at a later date after pleading guilty to robbery and possession of cannabis.
—Abby Monteil, Them, 17 Jan. 2025
Adding to her plight, a grievous injury to her jaw—most likely caused by a hunter’s bullet—shattered her upper and lower canines, leaving her unable to hunt her usual prey.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Credit to her for finding the comedy in everything from grievous head injuries to the simple act of eating a Wispa.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grievous 
Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
An unnamed 16-year-old boy received an 18-month supervision order after admitting to grievous bodily harm, and an unnamed 17-year-old girl will be sentenced at a later date after pleading guilty to robbery and possession of cannabis.
—Abby Monteil, Them, 17 Jan. 2025
Adding to her plight, a grievous injury to her jaw—most likely caused by a hunter’s bullet—shattered her upper and lower canines, leaving her unable to hunt her usual prey.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Credit to her for finding the comedy in everything from grievous head injuries to the simple act of eating a Wispa.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous
Adjective
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The delays follow the National Weather Service (NWS) issuing a warning over harsh weather for residents of Huntersville and Gastonia in North Carolina, which is also affecting the Charlotte Douglas Airport.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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The protest was not politically motivated, but demonstrations in the country can sometimes lead to political unrest under the harsh regime.—
Brie Stimson,
Fox News,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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An ultimate taboo, disclosing the impulse to kill one's child must be an unthinkably painful admission.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
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Watching De Zerbi trying to use a threadbare squad last season was painful at times.—
Andy Naylor,
The Athletic,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Hamilton said that wind shear combined with an icy runway would make dangerous conditions for a flip.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
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Schools districts throughout Kentucky closed on Monday, citing flooded streets, dangerous travel conditions and power outages that impacted some 15,000 homes and businesses.—
Christopher Cann,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Viewers looking for a sharp analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or a deeper reading of the catastrophic war in Gaza and ongoing hostage crisis, may be disappointed by the movie’s insistence on focusing entirely on one single family’s tragic predicament.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
14 Feb. 2025
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Whereas Bryant’s early induction was an exception because of his tragic death, Riley had been a candidate for the Hall for years.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Four years ago, Officer Daniel Hodges was called upon to defend the Capitol against a pro-Trump mob and wound up being pinned by the throng in a doorway of the building, in one of the most searing images of the violence that erupted on Jan. 6, 2021.—
Alan Feuer,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2025
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And the most searing one was my son Beau wasn't there.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The current government’s purposeful misrepresentation and defamation of DEI in such a comprehensively cruel and malicious manner deserves nothing less than personal and communal outrage and resistance.—
Dr. Tony Lux,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2025
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Immigrant advocates call those moves cruel and unnecessary.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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However, the Cutler documentary project could examine a downside to seizing Greenland (apart from disrupting the NATO alliance): the site is strewn with hazardous material.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2025
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The way that the power cable loops out in some shots does look a bit hazardous, although it could presumably be tucked in better for out-on-the-street use.—
Ben Coxworth,
New Atlas,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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While injuries are always unfortunate, Lee’s absence should benefit a Horned Frogs team that struggled with Iowa State’s frontcourt on Sunday.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2025
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Over those few unfortunate seconds for Bills left guard David Edwards, Jones provided yet another vivid example of why he’s been a first team All-Pro for three years in a row.—
Dave Campbell,
Twin Cities,
3 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near grievous
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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