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grievance

grievance

89 5.8
A complaint about something unfair, often made formally to people in charge
  • noun
  • /ˈɡriːvəns/
translation icon : queja
  • Insurgents could no longer exploit popular grievances about security, justice, and a lack of basic services.
  • redress grievances
  • grievance procedures
  • address grievances

She can't have a grievance with the world.

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Examples

  • Where can I air my grievances so that most people can see this corrupt system?

  • OK, I'd like to air this grievance of mine after all these years.

  • I have a serious grievance with you and your government.

  • The high price of bread in France is an old grievance.

  • Forgive whatever grievances you have against one another.

  • These gentlemen are giving you a committee, and they are going to address all of your grievances.

  • And it's since turned out that actually their, their complaints, their grievances were justified.

  • We can give you a forum for your grievances.

  • Every Sunday afternoon, in the castle courtyard, the King heard grievances and handed down judgments.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • She filed a formal complaint to express her grievance about the unfair treatment at work.

Synonyms

complaint
vsgrievance
564 1.4

A statement saying you are unhappy or annoyed about something

focuses more on unfairness and can lead to formal action
discontent
vsgrievance
49 5.1

A feeling of not being satisfied with the present situation

is more specific about unfair treatment and formal complaint potential
dissatisfaction
vsgrievance
37 3.7

Feeling unhappy or not pleased with something

centres more on feeling wronged and causing resentment or complaint
displeasure
vsgrievance
28 3.9

A feeling of being annoyed or not happy about something

is stronger, implying unfair treatment and potential formal response
grumbling
vsgrievance
19 3.2

A quiet complaint that shows someone is unhappy

is more formal and stresses unfairness that may lead to action
grumble
vsgrievance
3 3.4

A quiet complaint about something you dislike

carries more weight about being wronged and possible formal steps
disgruntlement
vsgrievance
1 7.0

A feeling of being unhappy and annoyed about something

is more explicitly about perceived injustice and possible formal action
aggrievement
vsgrievance
9.0

A feeling of being treated unfairly

is more likely to prompt formal action and lasting resentment

Antonyms

220 1.0

A sign that someone thinks a person or thing is good

192 2.2

A pleasant feeling when you achieve something or your needs are met

Compounds

A small complaint about something that bothers you

People who use racial issues to gain money, power or attention and increase social division

How Serious

lawsuit
719 4.8
grievance
89 5.8
complaint
564 1.4
concern
906 1.7

Surface Forms

grievance singular
grievances plural

Morphology

grievance = grieve (semi-transparent) = grieve + ance

The suffix '-ance' indicates a state or quality, but the specific meaning of a formal complaint is not directly derivable.

Etymology

Grievance comes from the old verb grieve, from a root meaning 'to make heavy' or 'to burden', and is like the word grief. So a grievance is a complaint you carry like a heavy burden, which explains why it means an official complaint about something unfair.