grievous
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “grievous” mean?
adjective.(of something bad) very severe or serious.
SAT Usage
this term commonly appears in passages discussing themes of loss, suffering, or moral failings. It emphasizes the severity and weight of a situation, suggesting profound consequences or emotional impact, distinguishing it from similar terms like "serious" or "critical," which may not convey the same depth of distress or moral gravity.
Common Confusions
Grievous implies a profound severity with moral implications, while serious usually suggests a significant level of importance or concern without necessarily conveying the same emotional weight or ethical distress.
Do not choose grievous if the context emphasizes triviality or insignificance rather than very severe or serious.
Example Sentences
-
Plagiarism is considered a grievous offense with serious academic consequences.