Grievous
adjective
Causing great pain or sadness.
His death is a grievous loss to us all.
Often appears as...
- grievous harm
- grievous injury
adjective
Very serious or severe.
She was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm.
Often appears as...
- grievous bodily harm
- grievous offence
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Bad and deserving to be criticized severely.
His mishandling of the situation was a grievous error.
Often appears as...
- grievous error
- grievous mistake
adjective
Causing great pain or sadness.
His death is a grievous loss to us all.
Often appears as...
- grievous harm
- grievous injury
adjective
Very serious or severe.
She was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm.
Often appears as...
- grievous bodily harm
- grievous offence
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Bad and deserving to be criticized severely.
His mishandling of the situation was a grievous error.
Often appears as...
- grievous error
- grievous mistake
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Use 'grievous' to describe situations with deep emotional impact, usually negative and intense.
The grievous tragedy left the community in mourning.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical
'Grievous' often refers to emotional, not physical, pain, although it can describe severe physical harm too.
His betrayal was a grievous blow to her trust.
Pro Tip 3/3Somber Tone
Using 'grievous' sets a serious, somber tone, suggesting that the subject is not to be taken lightly.
The grievous nature of the crime shocked the jurors.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Use 'grievous' to describe situations with deep emotional impact, usually negative and intense.
The grievous tragedy left the community in mourning.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical
'Grievous' often refers to emotional, not physical, pain, although it can describe severe physical harm too.
His betrayal was a grievous blow to her trust.
Pro Tip 3/3Somber Tone
Using 'grievous' sets a serious, somber tone, suggesting that the subject is not to be taken lightly.
The grievous nature of the crime shocked the jurors.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Use 'grievous' to describe situations with deep emotional impact, usually negative and intense.
The grievous tragedy left the community in mourning.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical
'Grievous' often refers to emotional, not physical, pain, although it can describe severe physical harm too.
His betrayal was a grievous blow to her trust.
Pro Tip 3/3Somber Tone
Using 'grievous' sets a serious, somber tone, suggesting that the subject is not to be taken lightly.
The grievous nature of the crime shocked the jurors.
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Video examples
A better way to talk...
I spent a lot of time alone in my room, checking my email, desperate to hear from the guy I loved. I decided that if my friends could not understand my grievous affliction, then I did not need their friendship. So I stopped hanging out with most of them.
Video examples
Situational irony: The...
Well, quick, what do you do? Do you laugh along with the laugh track and let this grievous misinterpretation of irony go? Or, do you throw caution to the wind and explain the true meaning of irony? If you're me, you choose the latter.
Video examples
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner:...
the with the binocular that there is a big crevasse who leads from the very right side far to the left side and he told us we have to climb just below this Grievous it would be possible and you
Video examples
A better way to talk...
I spent a lot of time alone in my room, checking my email, desperate to hear from the guy I loved. I decided that if my friends could not understand my grievous affliction, then I did not need their friendship. So I stopped hanging out with most of them.
Video examples
Situational irony: The...
Well, quick, what do you do? Do you laugh along with the laugh track and let this grievous misinterpretation of irony go? Or, do you throw caution to the wind and explain the true meaning of irony? If you're me, you choose the latter.
Video examples
Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner:...
the with the binocular that there is a big crevasse who leads from the very right side far to the left side and he told us we have to climb just below this Grievous it would be possible and you
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Tecumseh
Leader
The white usurpation in our common country must be stopped, or we, its rightful owners, be forever destroyed and wiped out as a race of people. I am now at the head of many warriors backed by the strong arm of English soldiers. Choctaws and Chickasaws, you have too long borne with grievous usurpation inflicted by the arrogant Americans.
Quote examples
Vincent McNabb
Irish Clergyman
No sin, especially no great sin, is just a harm done to the individual who commits it. I believe myself that the future of the human race is bound up with that idea. The soul that is conscious of a grievous sin is conscious of a great harm done to the community - to someone else. That common hurt should now be forgiven.
Quote examples
Vikram Patel
Indian Scientist
I think the government must recognise that the wounds of conflict are even more grievous on the mind than the body, and indeed may even serve to fuel further conflict. Where conflict cannot be avoided, provision of adequate psychosocial services to prevent the adverse mental health consequences should take priority.
Quote examples
Mary Ritter Beard
American Historian
It is grievous to read the papers in most respects, I agree. More and more I skim the headlines only, for one can be sure what is carried beneath them quite automatically, if one has long been a reader of the press journalism.
Quote examples
Orson Pratt
American Theologian
It is a grievous sin in the sight of God for any man to presume to baptize, unless God has authorized him by new revelation to baptize in his name.
Quote examples
Matthew Heineman
Algerian Director
Cartel Land' seeks to give voice to the people of Mexico who suffer grievous harm from cartel violence and government corruption.
Quote examples
Thomas Carlyle
Scottish Philosopher
Reform is not pleasant, but grievous; no person can reform themselves without suffering and hard work, how much less a nation.
Quote examples
Jacob Rees-Mogg
English Politician
Assad is unquestionably guilty of the most grievous fault and has inflicted horrors upon his people.
Quote examples
Marcus Aurelius
Roman Leader
How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.
Quote examples
Benjamin Franklin
American Politician
Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.
Quote examples
Tecumseh
Leader
The white usurpation in our common country must be stopped, or we, its rightful owners, be forever destroyed and wiped out as a race of people. I am now at the head of many warriors backed by the strong arm of English soldiers. Choctaws and Chickasaws, you have too long borne with grievous usurpation inflicted by the arrogant Americans.
Quote examples
Vincent McNabb
Irish Clergyman
No sin, especially no great sin, is just a harm done to the individual who commits it. I believe myself that the future of the human race is bound up with that idea. The soul that is conscious of a grievous sin is conscious of a great harm done to the community - to someone else. That common hurt should now be forgiven.
Quote examples
Vikram Patel
Indian Scientist
I think the government must recognise that the wounds of conflict are even more grievous on the mind than the body, and indeed may even serve to fuel further conflict. Where conflict cannot be avoided, provision of adequate psychosocial services to prevent the adverse mental health consequences should take priority.
Quote examples
Mary Ritter Beard
American Historian
It is grievous to read the papers in most respects, I agree. More and more I skim the headlines only, for one can be sure what is carried beneath them quite automatically, if one has long been a reader of the press journalism.
Quote examples
Orson Pratt
American Theologian
It is a grievous sin in the sight of God for any man to presume to baptize, unless God has authorized him by new revelation to baptize in his name.
Quote examples
Matthew Heineman
Algerian Director
Cartel Land' seeks to give voice to the people of Mexico who suffer grievous harm from cartel violence and government corruption.
Quote examples
Thomas Carlyle
Scottish Philosopher
Reform is not pleasant, but grievous; no person can reform themselves without suffering and hard work, how much less a nation.
Quote examples
Jacob Rees-Mogg
English Politician
Assad is unquestionably guilty of the most grievous fault and has inflicted horrors upon his people.
Quote examples
Marcus Aurelius
Roman Leader
How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it.
Quote examples
Benjamin Franklin
American Politician
Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.
Example 1 of 10
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