Aggrieve: meaning, definitions and examples

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aggrieve

 

[ əˈɡriːv ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal context

To aggrieve someone means to cause them to feel resentful or unhappy, especially due to a perceived injustice. In legal terms, it often refers to the action of feeling wronged in the face of legal rights or privileges.

Synonyms

afflict, displease, injure, wrong.

Examples of usage

  • The policy changes aggrieve many employees.
  • She felt aggrieved by the unfair treatment at work.
  • The decision aggrieved several community members.
Context #2 | Verb

emotional context

To aggrieve can also refer to the act of causing emotional pain or distress to someone. This usage emphasizes the feelings of the person who is aggrieved.

Synonyms

distress, hurt, offend.

Examples of usage

  • His comments aggrieved her deeply.
  • He was aggrieved by the lack of support.
  • The news aggrieved the entire community.

Translations

Translations of the word "aggrieve" in other languages:

🇵🇹 afligir

🇮🇳 पीड़ा देना

🇩🇪 verletzen

🇮🇩 menyakiti

🇺🇦 ображати

🇵🇱 krzywdzić

🇯🇵 傷つける

🇫🇷 faire du tort à

🇪🇸 agraviar

🇹🇷 zarar vermek

🇰🇷 상처를 주다

🇸🇦 يؤذي

🇨🇿 ublížit

🇸🇰 ublížiť

🇨🇳 伤害

🇸🇮 škoditi

🇮🇸 meiða

🇰🇿 зиян келтіру

🇬🇪 აზიანებს

🇦🇿 zərər vermək

🇲🇽 afligir

Etymology

The term 'aggrieve' originates from the Middle English word 'aggrieven', which is derived from the Old French 'aggriever', meaning to weigh down or to afflict, itself coming from the Latin 'aggrievare' meaning to make heavy or to burden. The prefix 'ad-' in Latin carries the meaning of 'to' or 'toward', while 'grievare' comes from 'gravis,' translating to 'heavy'. The evolution of the word reflects its journey through various languages, synthesis of cultural applications and legal rims, which shaped it into the modern usage we have today. Initially used in a more general sense to indicate causing harm or distress, over time, its usage has gained specificity, especially in legal contexts where wrongful treatment is emphasized.