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Synonyms

grievance

American  
[gree-vuhns] / ˈgri vəns /

noun

  1. a wrong considered as grounds for complaint, or something believed to cause distress.

    Inequitable taxation is the chief grievance.
    Synonyms:
    distress, injury, hurt, injustice, affront

  2. a complaint, as against an unjust or unfair act.

    to have a grievance against someone.

  3. a feeling or belief that one has been wronged, oppressed, or is the victim of an injustice; resentment.

    The conflict on campus was described as the result of racial grievance or victim culture, depending on who reported it.
grievance British  
/ ˈɡriːvəns /

noun

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

  2. a feeling of resentment or injustice at having been unfairly treated

  3. obsolete affliction or hardship

"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
grievance Idioms  

  1. see air one's grievances.

Other Word Forms

  • pregrievance noun

Etymology

Origin of grievance

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English greva(u)nce, greva(u)ns “injury, offense, annoyance,” from Old French grevance “harm, injury, trouble, misfortune”; grieve, -ance

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.

There was no recalibration nor hint of strategic retreat, only chest-thumping and grievance.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

Instead there is always about him, in his public presentation, an air of grievance, of resentment, and a feeling of superiority—if you were a little brighter, you’d see it my way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

The bargaining has focused on concerns about the growth and use of artificial intelligence, pay raises and “basic protections” like grievance procedures.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

The motive for the attack remains unclear, although local media reports suggest the suspect may have had a grievance with a teacher at the school.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

“Sorry. Strike that. All nine masters are present. Present your grievance, Master Hemme.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.