grievance
3 synonyms for grievance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A formal complaint, especially about unfair treatment at work.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use grievance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
file a grievance
air a grievance
a long-standing grievance
Etymology
From Old French grievance, built on the verb grever ("to burden, to harm") — related to "grieve."
Full origin of grievance →Frequently asked questions
What does “grievance” mean?
The word “grievance” means a formal complaint, especially about unfair treatment at work. In plain terms, a formal complaint, or a lingering sense of having been wronged.
How do you pronounce “grievance”?
“Grievance” is pronounced GREE-vuhns (/ˈɡɹiː.vəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “grievance” in a sentence?
Here is “grievance” used in a sentence: “The union filed a grievance over the unpaid overtime.”
What is another word for “grievance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “grievance” include gravamen.
What part of speech is “grievance”?
“Grievance” is a noun.
Where does the word “grievance” come from?
The word “grievance” comes from Old French. From Old French grievance, built on the verb grever ("to burden, to harm") — related to "grieve.".
Is “grievance” a common word?
“Grievance” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “grievance” have?
“Grievance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a formal complaint, especially about unfair treatment at work.
