Definitions

grievous

[gree-vuhs] / ˈgri vəs /

ADJECTIVE

severe, painful; serious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

appalling atrocious calamitous damaging deplorable dire dreadful egregious flagrant glaring heinous intolerable lamentable monstrous outrageous shameful shocking tragic unbearable

WEAK

afflicting agonizing dismal disquieting distressing disturbing grave harmful heart-rending heavy hurtful injurious mournful offensive onerous oppressive pathetic pitiful sad sharp sorrowful taxing tough troublesome upsetting villainous weighty wounding

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acceptable bearable blessed comforting concealed delightful favorable fortunate good happy hidden little lucky magnificent mild pleasing tolerable wonderful

WEAK

harmless pleasant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And it delivers a blunt message, warning that this executive order would inflict a grievous, possibly lethal moral harm on the nation.

From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026

According to the tribunal, this was "a serious and grievous consequence particularly because this has happened through the misconduct of a priest."

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

If love is a complicated, beautiful and grievous thing, so is Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights.”

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

For Iran, Russia and China, “losing a partner in the Western Hemisphere is a blow, but not a grievous one,” said Gregory Brew, a senior analyst at the Eurasia Group, an advisory firm.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

"You are grievous hurt. You will do yourself great injury. Are you thirsty?"

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Vocabulary lists containing grievous

The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 6

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

A Wrinkle in Time

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Antigone

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!