grievous grievous /ˈgriːvəs/

adjective

1. () Causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm  ( life-threatening , dangerous , grievous , grave , serious , severe )
   causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm
    A dangerous operation
   a dangerous operation
    A grave situation
   a grave situation
    A grave illness
   a grave illness
    Grievous bodily harm
   grievous bodily harm
    A serious wound
   a serious wound
    A serious turn of events
   a serious turn of events
    A severe case of pneumonia
   a severe case of pneumonia
    A life-threatening disease
   a life-threatening disease
   
2. Shockingly brutal or cruel  ( atrocious , flagitious , grievous , monstrous )
   shockingly brutal or cruel
    Murder is an atrocious crime
   murder is an atrocious crime
    A grievous offense against morality
   a grievous offense against morality
    A grievous crime
   a grievous crime
    No excess was too monstrous for them to commit
   no excess was too monstrous for them to commit
   
3. Of great gravity or crucial import; requiring serious thought  ( grave , grievous , heavy , weighty )
   of great gravity or crucial import; requiring serious thought
    Grave responsibilities
   grave responsibilities
    Faced a grave decision in a time of crisis
   faced a grave decision in a time of crisis
    A grievous fault
   a grievous fault
    Heavy matters of state
   heavy matters of state
    The weighty matters to be discussed at the peace conference
   the weighty matters to be discussed at the peace conference
   
4. Causing or marked by grief or anguish  ( grievous , heartbreaking , heartrending )
   causing or marked by grief or anguish
    A grievous loss
   a grievous loss
    A grievous cry
   a grievous cry
    Her sigh was heartbreaking
   her sigh was heartbreaking
    The heartrending words of Rabin's granddaughter
   the heartrending words of Rabin's granddaughter