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grievous

adjective griev·ous \ˈgrē-vəs\

: causing great sadness, suffering, or pain : very serious or severe

Full Definition of GRIEVOUS

1
:  causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or sorrow <a grievous wound> <a grievous loss>
2
:  oppressive, onerous <grievous costs of war>
3
:  serious, grave <grievous fault>
— griev·ous·ly adverb
— griev·ous·ness noun
See grievous defined for English-language learners
See grievous defined for kids
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First Known Use of GRIEVOUS

13th century

Related to GRIEVOUS

Synonyms
bitter, brutal, burdensome, cruel, excruciating, harsh, grim, hard, hardhanded, heavy, inhuman, murderous, onerous, oppressive, rough, rugged, searing, severe, stiff, tough, trying
Antonyms
easy, light, soft

Rhymes with GRIEVOUS

Nevis, nevus
GRIEVOUS Defined for Kids

grievous

adjective griev·ous \ˈgrē-vəs\

Definition of GRIEVOUS for Kids

1
:  causing suffering or pain <a grievous injury>
2
:  serious 2, grave <a grievous error>

Learn More About GRIEVOUS

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Next Word in the Dictionary: griffe (noun)Previous Word in the Dictionary: grievinglyAll Words Near: grievous
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