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Grievance: meaning, definitions and examples

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grievance

 

[ˈɡriːvəns ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

at work

A grievance is a formal complaint about something that you feel has been done wrong or unfair, especially in a work environment. Grievances are usually addressed through a specific process outlined by the company or organization.

Synonyms

complaint, dispute, objection.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
grievance

Grievance is typically used in a formal or official context, often related to workplace issues. It suggests a sense of injustice or unfair treatment.

  • The employees filed a grievance against the management for unsafe working conditions
  • The union addressed their grievances in the meeting
complaint

Complaint is a general term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It usually refers to expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.

  • She made a complaint about the noisy neighbors
  • Customers can register their complaints at the service desk
dispute

Dispute is used in situations where there is a disagreement or argument, often involving two or more parties. This term is common in legal, business, and interpersonal contexts.

  • The two companies are in a legal dispute over the patent rights
  • They had a dispute about the best way to solve the problem
objection

Objection is often used in formal settings, such as legal proceedings, to express disapproval or disagreement with something. It can also be used more generally to indicate strong disapproval.

  • The lawyer raised an objection during the trial
  • She has a strong objection to the proposed changes in the policy

Examples of usage

  • The employees decided to file a grievance with human resources regarding the unfair treatment by their manager.
  • She raised a grievance about the lack of safety measures in the workplace.
Context #2 | Noun

legal

In legal terms, a grievance refers to a violation of someone's legal rights, which may lead to a lawsuit or legal action. Grievances in this context are typically related to discrimination, harassment, or other unlawful practices.

Synonyms

breach, infringement, violation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
grievance

Primarily used when referring to a formal complaint or feeling of being wronged, often in a workplace or legal context.

  • She filed a grievance with her employer over unfair treatment.
  • The company addressed the worker's grievances during the staff meeting.
violation

General term for an act that disregards an agreement, law, or moral principle. Can be used in various contexts such as legal, moral, or personal.

  • He was fined for a traffic violation.
  • This action is a clear violation of our values.
infringement

Typically used in legal contexts to describe an unauthorized or illegal action, especially concerning intellectual property, rights, or regulations.

  • The artist sued for copyright infringement.
  • This policy is an infringement on basic human rights.
breach

Used when there is a violation or breaking of a law, agreement, rule, or code of conduct. It often implies a serious offense.

  • The company suffered a major data breach last night.
  • His actions represented a breach of contract.

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer advised her to file a grievance against the company for wrongful termination.
  • The union took up the workers' grievances with the management.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from the Old French 'grievance', derived from 'grever', which means 'to burden' or 'to be heavy'.
  • It was used in English since the late Middle Ages to describe a feeling of injustice or unhappiness.

Law

  • In legal contexts, a grievance can represent a formal complaint made by an employee against their employer over issues like unfair treatment.
  • Labor laws often provide frameworks for addressing grievances in unionized workplaces to ensure workers' rights.

Psychology

  • Holding onto grievances can impact mental health, often leading to feelings of resentment and unhappiness.
  • Working through grievances is seen as a crucial step in emotional healing and self-care.

Literature

  • Grievances often serve as key plot elements in classic literature, leading characters to seek justice or revenge.
  • Authors use grievances to explore themes of conflict, morality, and the human condition.

Pop Culture

  • Songs often express grievances, revealing personal stories of heartbreak or betrayal that resonate with listeners.
  • In movies, a character's grievance can drive the narrative forward, often leading to dramatic confrontations.

Translations

Translations of the word "grievance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reclamação

🇮🇳 शिकायत

🇩🇪 Beschwerde

🇮🇩 keluhan

🇺🇦 скарга

🇵🇱 skarga

🇯🇵 不満

🇫🇷 plainte

🇪🇸 queja

🇹🇷 şikayet

🇰🇷 불만

🇸🇦 شكوى

🇨🇿 stížnost

🇸🇰 sťažnosť

🇨🇳 投诉

🇸🇮 pritožba

🇮🇸 kvörtun

🇰🇿 шағым

🇬🇪 საჩივარი

🇦🇿 şikayət

🇲🇽 queja

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,467 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.