grievance

noun

griev·​ance ˈgrē-vən(t)s How to pronounce grievance (audio)
1
: a cause of distress (such as an unsatisfactory working condition) felt to afford reason for complaint or resistance
Her chief grievance was the sexual harassment by her boss.
2
: the formal expression of a grievance : complaint
filed a grievance against her employer
3
obsolete : suffering, distress
Choose the Right Synonym for grievance

injustice, injury, wrong, grievance mean an act that inflicts undeserved hurt.

injustice applies to any act that involves unfairness to another or violation of one's rights.

the injustices suffered by the lower classes

injury applies in law specifically to an injustice for which one may sue to recover compensation.

libel constitutes a legal injury

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

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

Examples of grievance in a Sentence

He has a deep sense of grievance against his former employer. She has been nursing a grievance all week. In the petition, the students listed their many grievances against the university administration. Several customers came to the front desk to air their grievances.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians filed a grievance, and an arbitrator ordered the two reinstated in April 2020. Ronald Blum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 The former president has also been criticized for often focusing on personal attacks and grievances against Harris during his final campaign rallies, some of which have been sparsely attended events taking place in critical battleground states. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 During an October episode of Smith’s First Take, the talking head aired out his grievances with Durant. Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024 He is consumed with grievance, and the man is out for unchecked power. ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grievance 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grevaunce, grevance "offense, ground for complaint, resentment, hardship, sickness," borrowed from Anglo-French, from grever "to be a burden to, harm, afflict" + -aunce, -ance -ance — more at grieve

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of grievance was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near grievance

Cite this Entry

“Grievance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grievance. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

grievance

noun
griev·​ance ˈgrē-vən(t)s How to pronounce grievance (audio)
1
: a cause of distress giving reason for complaint
2
: the formal expression of a grievance : complaint

Legal Definition

grievance

noun
griev·​ance ˈgrē-vəns How to pronounce grievance (audio)
1
: a cause of distress (as an unsatisfactory working condition or unfair labor practice) felt to afford a reason for complaint or dispute
especially : a violation of a collective bargaining agreement usually by the employer
2
: the formal expression of a grievance brought especially by an employee as the initial step toward resolution through a grievance procedure see also arbitration, grievance arbitration at arbitration, mediation

More from Merriam-Webster on grievance

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