Definition

A complaint or feeling of being treated unfairly, often leading to a formal protest or request for change.

Example

She filed a grievance with the management about the unfair treatment at work.

Conversation

I heard you had a grievance about the new policy at work.

Yeah, it just feels unfair to everyone involved.

Have you thought about bringing your grievance to HR?

I might, but I'm not sure if it will change anything.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Grievance → It is formed from "grieve" (from Old French *grever*, meaning to burden or oppress) and the suffix "-ance" (meaning the state or quality of). The word "grievance" refers to the state of being burdened or oppressed, often in the context of a complaint or injustice.

Memory Tip

Think of feeling 'burdened' ('grieve') and the 'state' of that feeling ('-ance') — that's why a grievance is a complaint about being treated unfairly.

Visually Confused Words