Grievance: meaning, definitions and examples

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 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 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 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

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.

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.

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.

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.