grievance

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
  2. noun an allegation that something imposes an illegal obligation or denies some legal right or causes injustice
  3. noun a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action

Etymology

From Old French grievance, from the verb grever (“to irritate; to bother; to annoy”) + -ance, equivalent to grieve + -ance.

In classic literature

Synonyms

grudge, score

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