1
: causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or sorrow
a grievous wound
a grievous loss
2
: oppressive, onerous
grievous costs of war
grievously
adverb
grievousness
noun
Examples of grievous in a Sentence
the grievous cost of war
He took a foolish financial risk and suffered a grievous loss.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Doyle, 53, was also charged with dangerous driving and five other counts claiming different variations of causing grievous bodily harm, Prosecutor Sarah Hammond said.
—
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
He is being charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
According to the Metropolitan Police, the arrest stems from a February 2023 incident in Hanover Square, London, where Brown is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a music producer.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025
He is accused of causing grievous bodily harm by throwing a tequila bottle in a nightclub in Manchester in 2023.
—Patrick Smith, NBC news, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
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Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
He is being charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 21 May 2025
According to the Metropolitan Police, the arrest stems from a February 2023 incident in Hanover Square, London, where Brown is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a music producer.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 21 May 2025
He is accused of causing grievous bodily harm by throwing a tequila bottle in a nightclub in Manchester in 2023.
—Patrick Smith, NBC news, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for grievous
Cite this Entry
“Grievous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grievous. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
grievous
adjective
griev·ous
ˈgrē-vəs 
1
: heavy entry 1 sense 2, severe
the grievous cost of war
2
: causing pain, suffering, or sorrow
a grievous wound
3
: serious sense 4, grave
a grievous mistake
grievously
adverb
grievousness
noun
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