grievance

An unfair act or difficult situation that gives someone a reason to complain.

• Her main grievance was unequal pay.
• The manager listened to the workers’ grievances.
• They have a legitimate grievance against the housing company.

How to use it: grievance against someone/something (The tenants have a grievance against their landlord.); grievance about something (Her main grievance about the job concerns unpaid overtime.)

Similar words: wrong, injustice

Common phrases: legitimate grievance, address a grievance, grievance against someone

An official complaint about unfair treatment, especially at work.

• She filed a grievance yesterday.
• The union helped workers submit their grievances.
• Every formal grievance must be reviewed within ten days.

How to use it: grievance against someone/something (She filed a grievance against her employer.); grievance with someone/something (He lodged a grievance with the personnel department.)

Similar words: complaint

Common phrases: file a grievance, grievance procedure, formal grievance

A feeling of anger or bitterness because you believe someone has treated you unfairly.

• He spoke with obvious grievance.
• A deep sense of grievance remained after the argument.
• She nursed a grievance for years after being excluded.

Similar words: resentment, bitterness

Common phrases: sense of grievance, personal grievance, nurse a grievance

Something that causes sadness or emotional pain.

• The loss was her greatest grievance.
• He wrote about the grievances that had darkened his youth.
• Each fresh grievance added to the family’s sorrow.

Similar words: sorrow, affliction

Common phrases: deep grievance, source of grievance