aggrieve

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "aggrieve" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to cause distress or hardship to someone, to oppress, or to wrong somebody. Example sentence: The king's decision to raise taxes aggrieved the peasants.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Ten billion fingers fumbling away, unautocorrecting e-mails, texts, and tweets; each one an opportunity to offend, alienate, aggrieve, all in public, and at light speed.

The New Yorker

What seemed particularly to aggrieve conference officials, and some coaches, was that Krikorian had left his players at home instead of simply resting them on the bench.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a verdict that will especially aggrieve the Bayern board because it does suggest that its team can't even rely on the class of individuals any more.

The Guardian - Sport

Williams described himself as "a sponge" who effortlessly absorbed influences around him – which could aggrieve other comedians.

The Guardian

It's been two years since the New Beetle came along, and its precious styling and peculiar packaging continue to charm and aggrieve in equal measure.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Sir Oliver Popplewell, the judge who chaired the inquiry, is clearly aggrieved by any criticism of his work but he has said there needs to be a new investigation now he has belatedly found out that Stafford Heginbotham, Bradford's then chairman, had a history of at least eight other major fires in the city, courtesy of Martin Fletcher's book and 15-year fact-finding mission.

The Guardian - Sport

I wonder if she has ever been aggrieved by the high-school diktat that says all teenagers must be thin and look like Hitler Youth in order to be popular.

The Guardian - Film

Feelings are running high – on the side both of those rightfully frustrated that something as obvious as people being murdered in the cold light of day is met with equivocation; and those who feel justifiably aggrieved at what looks like tolerance of intolerance or, at worst, racism towards minorities.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm a Labour man and I'm sorry for them that feels aggrieved in England.

The Guardian

Even the Bianconeri, though, would get their turn to feel aggrieved.

The Guardian - Sport

To begin with, the truce does not bring in all the warring parties: aggrieved individuals in the United States can still sue at will, and, although no other country has the same punitive legal system as America, the tobacco industry still faces product-liability suits in other countries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aggrieve", be specific about who is being aggrieved and what action is causing the distress. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "aggrieve" for minor inconveniences or annoyances. The word carries a weight of significant distress or injustice, so reserve it for situations where the impact is genuinely serious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "aggrieve" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating who or what is being caused distress or harm. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the act of causing pain, sorrow, or injury.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aggrieve" is a transitive verb used to express causing distress, pain, or injury, often in the context of injustice or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its usage leans towards neutral to formal contexts, as demonstrated by its presence in news and media sources like The New York Times and The Economist. While not a commonly used word, understanding its specific meaning is useful for conveying a profound sense of distress or injustice in writing. Remember to use it when the impact is genuinely serious, and not for minor annoyances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause distress to

This alternative directly focuses on the act of causing emotional suffering, a key aspect of "aggrieve".

cause sorrow to

This option emphasizes the emotional pain inflicted, highlighting the sorrowful consequence of the action.

inflict pain on

This highlights the act of causing suffering, whether physical or emotional, similar to the impact of "aggrieve".

wrong

This shorter word indicates a moral or ethical offense, mirroring the sense of injustice in "aggrieve".

injure

This alternative focuses on the harm or damage caused, whether physical or emotional, relating to the impact of "aggrieve".

maltreat

This term suggests a mistreatment or abuse, capturing the sense of being wronged that "aggrieve" implies.

oppress

This emphasizes the unjust exercise of authority or power, aligning with the oppression aspect of "aggrieve".

afflict

This focuses on causing prolonged suffering, whether physical or emotional, related to the ongoing impact of "aggrieve".

give offense to

This option directly refers to causing someone to feel insulted or resentful, capturing the relational aspect of "aggrieve".

do wrong to

This indicates acting unjustly towards someone, emphasizing the moral dimension of "aggrieve".

FAQs

How can I use "aggrieve" in a sentence?

"Aggrieve" is a verb that means to cause distress, pain, or injury to someone. For example, "The company's decision to cut benefits aggrieved many of its employees."

What's the difference between "aggrieve" and "annoy"?

"Aggrieve" implies a deeper and more serious level of distress or injury than "annoy". To "annoy" someone means to cause mild irritation, while to "aggrieve" someone means to cause significant pain or suffering.

What are some synonyms for "aggrieve"?

Synonyms for "aggrieve" include "distress", "injure", "oppress", and "wrong". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more common to hear "aggrieve" or "aggrieved"?

You're more likely to hear the past participle "aggrieved", often used as an adjective to describe someone who feels wronged or injured. The verb "aggrieve" is less frequently used in everyday conversation but is still correct.