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

Examples 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 But hen the players went public with their grievances over the situation, sparking weeks of controversy. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025 At too many companies, the HR department is still a glorified help desk—an outlet for employee questions and grievances, from vacation days to pay grades—but not a driver of business results. Ryan Wong, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 The lucrative extension fits a recent trend for the Athletics, who must increase their luxury tax payroll to around $105 million for next season to avoid a grievance from the Major League Baseball Players Association. Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 Colts star defensive end DeForest Buckner aired out his grievances with the way the Colts' season is set to end. George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grievance 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievance
Noun
  • This approach, Tu believes, can help prevent financial resentment and ensure that both partners retain a sense of independence.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • But over time, the glow of recognition can fade, replaced by exhaustion, resentment and the unsettling feeling that you’re being relied upon but not necessarily valued.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • For its part, Walgreens has not filed a legal answer to the complaint yet, but did issue a short response denying any wrongdoing.
    Steve Weisman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
  • At first, the school board reacted to the complaints by saying parents could have their children excused from the class when the new textbooks were being used or discussed.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But White House observers have long questioned what might divide the two men, who are known for demanding the spotlight and holding grudges.
    Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
  • But, MacArthur said, that doesn’t fit with what jurors have heard about Madigan, including a near-legendary ability to hold political grudges.
    Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The ragged metallic roaring scream of a Boeing 727 ascending eastward, a high-pitched whine building to a thundering roar, fading to a drone.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
  • When in use, the motor produced a slightly audible whistle/whine.
    John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
  • But there is no big fuss made for them, no extra support, just a gaggle of siblings walking out into a cold, stark parking lot to feel what must be every emotion imaginable, but certainly relief, heartbreak, and anger.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 Dec. 2024
  • The last time Donald Trump was president, Republican lawmakers eliminated 15 rules with little fuss and not much publicity.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The ultimate effect is paradoxical: the more that Valéry eliminates the ghost of pain and passion from the logical machinery of his work, the starker and more affecting the moans and cries of the ghost become.
    Benjamin Kunkel, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Against Notre Dame, the collective moan in the Coliseum with yet another last-minute loss because of Riley’s poor play calling was the breaking point for this lifelong Trojan.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near grievance

Cite this Entry

“Grievance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievance. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grievance

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