aggrieved

USAGE SUMMARY

'aggrieved' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective that typically means to feel wronged, wronged, offended, or upset. For example, "The aggrieved employee filed a complaint after feeling mistreated by the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

But if this has created a momentum which on June 16th leads to a right-wing majority in parliament, the left will say it has a right to feel aggrieved.

The Economist

Many feel aggrieved that, though nobody so far has been formally charged with anything, a man they liked and voted for has been made to step down by the media and local politicians.

The Economist

Nobody knows what exactly pushes the aggrieved towards terror, or the newly devoted Muslim to jihad.

The Economist

Given that BA makes most of its money from premium customers who turn left when they board the plane, it seems corporate travellers are no more aggrieved by APD than holidaymakers.

The Economist

A quarter-century after the Velvet Revolution, aggrieved Czech and Slovak liberals and anti-corruption crusaders still know how to protest.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aggrieved", ensure the context clearly establishes the cause of the grievance to avoid ambiguity. Specify what the person or group is "aggrieved" by for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "aggrieved" in situations that warrant a milder term like "disappointed" or "concerned." "Aggrieved" implies a significant wrong or injustice has occurred. Reserve "aggrieved" for situations involving genuine grievances and mistreatment.

Linguistic Context

The word "aggrieved" functions primarily as an adjective, describing a state of feeling wronged or unjustly treated. Ludwig AI confirms its adjectival usage. Examples include "aggrieved individuals" and "aggrieved parties".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aggrieved" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of feeling wronged or unjustly treated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and formal contexts. To maximize impact, clearly state the reason someone is "aggrieved." While synonyms like "resentful" or "indignant" exist, "aggrieved" carries a specific connotation of having suffered an injustice. Remember to reserve its usage for situations where the emotion is merited, and avoid using it where a weaker emotion is more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wronged

Directly indicates having suffered an injustice or unfair treatment.

Resentful

Focuses specifically on the feeling of indignation or ill-will caused by a perceived wrong.

Indignant

Highlights the righteous anger felt at perceived unfairness.

Disgruntled

Emphasizes dissatisfaction and a bad mood, often due to unmet expectations.

Offended

Focuses on the feeling of being insulted or disrespected.

Aggravated

Suggests a state of being annoyed or irritated, often by persistent issues.

Pained

Emphasizes the emotional suffering caused by injustice or mistreatment.

Injured

Highlights the harm or damage inflicted, whether physical or emotional.

Displeased

Indicates a lack of satisfaction or contentment with a situation.

Sore

Emphasizes the feeling of emotional discomfort and sensitivity due to perceived unfairness.

FAQs

How can I use "aggrieved" in a sentence?

Use "aggrieved" to describe someone who feels wronged or unjustly treated. For example, "The "aggrieved employee" filed a lawsuit against the company", or "Aggrieved shareholders demanded a meeting with the board".

What are some synonyms for "aggrieved"?

Alternatives to "aggrieved" include "resentful", "indignant", "disgruntled", and "wronged". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "feeling aggrieved"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say someone is "feeling aggrieved". It emphasizes the subjective experience of being wronged. For example, "After the decision, many members were "feeling aggrieved"".

What is the difference between "aggrieved" and "disappointed"?

"Aggrieved" implies a sense of injustice or unfair treatment, while "disappointed" simply means feeling let down or unsatisfied. Someone who is "aggrieved" believes they have been wronged, whereas someone who is "disappointed" may just have unmet expectations.