grievance

/ˈgrivəns/

/ˈgrivəns/

Other forms: grievances

A grievance is a complaint. It can be formal, as when an employee files a grievance because of unsafe working conditions, or more of an emotional matter, like a grievance against an old friend who betrayed you.

A grievance is a complaint that may or may not be justified. Often a grievance is a complaint about something that breaks a rule or a law, like a grievance filed against a person who builds a fence in his front yard in a town that does not allow that. If that same neighbor plants flowers he knows make you sneeze uncontrollably, you might be unhappy about that, but this is the kind of grievance you can work out among yourselves.

Definitions of grievance

1. noun

   a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action
   type of:

   complaint

   an expression of grievance or resentment
2. noun

   an allegation that something imposes an illegal obligation or denies some legal right or causes injustice
   type of:

   allegation

   (law) a formal accusation against somebody (often in a court of law)
3. noun

   a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
   synonyms: grudge, score

   type of:

   bitterness, gall, rancor, rancour, resentment

   a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will