grievance

[gree-vuhns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR grievance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a wrong considered as grounds for complaint, or something believed to cause distress: Inequitable taxation is the chief grievance.

a complaint or resentment, as against an unjust or unfair act: to have a grievance against someone.

Nearby words

Origin of grievance

1250–1300; Middle English greva(u)nce < Old French grevance. See grieve, -ance

SYNONYMS FOR grievance

1. affront, injustice, hurt, injury, distress.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR grievance ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formspre·griev·ance, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for grievance

In early October, Health Republic allowed me to submit a “grievance claim” which I filed, along with a pile of backup documents.
My Insurance Company Killed Me, Despite Obamacare|Malcolm MacDougall|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We do our cause more harm than good if we get outrageously outraged over every slight and grievance.
RedState is Hiring Reporters|Justin Green|February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When the grievance committee, led by a Copé associate, declared Copé the winner again, Fillon demanded a re-vote; Copé dug in.
France’s Petty Politics Brings Christmas Early to Scandal Lovers|Tracy McNicoll|December 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Since falling under Western colonial rule, the Muslim world has developed a narrative of grievance.
The Politics of Muslim Rage|Justin Green|October 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST

But the level of anti-American grievance Obama observed and deplored in 2008-2009 has not abated.
Muslims to Obama: No We Won't|David Frum|September 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Now, is it only a 'silly-season' cry, this grievance about no houses, or is it true?
The Brightener|C. N. Williamson
"It is my only grievance against you, Mrs. Nancy," Eve told the little shining lady.
Mistress Anne|Temple Bailey
Even twelve hours' work a day is better than a newspaper at four in the afternoon and a grievance for the rest of the evening.
Fantasia of the Unconscious|D. H. Lawrence
As the weary days of starvation and death wore on, nearly every member of the party developed a grievance.
Henry Hudson|Thomas A. Janvier
Some Germans seem to think so, and it behoves us, if we can, to find out what the German grievance is.
Britain at Bay|Spenser Wilkinson

British Dictionary definitions for grievance

grievance

noun

a real or imaginary wrong causing resentment and regarded as grounds for complaint

a feeling of resentment or injustice at having been unfairly treated

obsolete affliction or hardship

Word Origin for grievance

C15 grevance, from Old French, from grever to grieve 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for grievance

grievance

c.1300, "state of being aggrieved," from Old French grevance "harm, injury, misfortune, trouble, suffering," from grever "to harm, to burden" (see grieve). In reference to a cause of such a condition, from late 15c.

Idioms and Phrases with grievance

grievance

see air one's grievances.

grievance

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of grievance

Examples from the Web for grievance

grievance

noun

Word Origin for grievance

grievance

grievance