grievance

[gree-vuhns]

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• pregrievance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grievance¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of grievance¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see air one's grievances.

Example Sentences

Here are five standout moments from the night of shared grievances.

From Los Angeles Times

The prime minister used his keynote speech to cast Nigel Farage's movement as practising the "politics of grievance" and to position Labour as the party of "tolerant, decent" patriotism.

From BBC

"He can't. He doesn't like Britain, doesn't believe in Britain. Wants you to doubt it as much as he does and so he resorts to grievance."

From BBC

And, as usual, the submissions — each country gets to select one film — have produced no shortage of grievances and outrage.

From Los Angeles Times

He found one and unloaded his grievances on her.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grief 
• hardship 
• injustice 
• objection 
• outrage 
• resentment 
• sorrow 
• unhappiness www.thesaurus.com