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
No sin is too grievous for His mercy.
—
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Her governments oversaw sustained economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and the establishment of a war crimes tribunal to prosecute those responsible for committing grievous crimes during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026
Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after being charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
In 2012, The Hollywood Reporter – the same trade magazine that recently lamented a downturn in animal rentals – published an exposé cataloging incidents in which animals died, were injured or were put at grievous risk on sets.
—Cynthia Chris, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Apr. 2026
Her governments oversaw sustained economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and the establishment of a war crimes tribunal to prosecute those responsible for committing grievous crimes during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
—Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026
Former Premier League footballer Joey Barton has been remanded in custody after being charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
In 2012, The Hollywood Reporter – the same trade magazine that recently lamented a downturn in animal rentals – published an exposé cataloging incidents in which animals died, were injured or were put at grievous risk on sets.
—Cynthia Chris, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grievous
Adjective
-
The table tells a harsher story.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The girls’ mother, who traveled to appear in court Thursday with Doe 8, called for a harsh punishment and described how O’Connor, once in Idaho, helped sneak out Doe 8 to see her son, at one point provided them a hotel room.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Loafers can sometimes feel weirdly stiff straight out of the box, but this popular Uptown pair skips that painful break-in phase.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
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But as the disease progressed, their relationship fractured in painful ways.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Understanding these unexpected auroras could improve forecasts of dangerous space weather, which can disrupt satellites, GPS systems, communications and even power grids during extreme solar storms.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
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Still, since the man had fled, these officials emphasized the necessity of executing her, even as the whole episode whispered even to them of the dangerous vulnerabilities of their colonial situation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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Ribeiro’s father never spoke about the difficult moments in his life as an immigrant in a tragic manner.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
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Though long dead, Faith’s presence continues to haunt the estate, where dark secrets tied to her tragic past remain deeply embedded within the carriage house walls.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Some 1,000 people participated at the state Capitol’s annual candlelight vigil to remember the missing, support families and recommit to ending the violence causing such searing pain in California Indian Country.—
James C Ramos,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
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The searing conditions have turned deadly, with multiple drownings in British lakes, French surf and Spanish beaches as people seek relief before lifeguard patrols and summer safety measures are fully in place.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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In the late '90s and early '00s, Pamela Anderson became a tabloid fixture who was frequently the butt of cruel jokes alongside many other female celebrities of the era.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 May 2026
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But fate, cruel and sudden, had other ideas.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Essential safety tips for heavy rain When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
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All evacuation orders stemming from a hazardous materials incident at a Southern California aerospace facility were lifted Tuesday night, allowing thousands of residents to return home.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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And yes, there is the unfortunate elephant in the room.—
Pete Sweeney
May 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
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Now resupply is by motorbike, ground robot or drone or in the case of Russia, carried on the backs of unfortunate soldiers known as camels.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grievous. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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