Definition

The most important or serious part of a complaint or accusation, especially in legal contexts.

Example

The gravamen of her lawsuit was that the company had failed to provide a safe working environment.

Conversation

I heard you had a meeting about the project complaints.

Yeah, it was pretty intense; the gravamen of their issues was quite serious.

What did they say was the main problem then?

They felt like their concerns were ignored, which is definitely a valid gravamen.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gravamen is formed from "gravis" (meaning heavy) and "-men" (a suffix used in legal terms). The word refers to the essential part of a complaint or grievance, emphasizing the weight or seriousness of the issue at hand.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'heavy' ('gravis') in terms of importance or seriousness — that's why gravamen refers to the core of a complaint.

Visually Confused Words