aggrieve

/ə'gri:v/

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Meaning of "Aggrieve"

The word "aggrieve" is a verb that means to make someone feel very sad or upset, especially because they believe they have been treated unfairly. It can also mean to infringe on someone’s rights or to violate them.

Usage Instructions

• Use "aggrieve" when talking about feelings of sadness or unfair treatment.
• It is often used in formal contexts, such as legal situations or discussions about rights.

Example Sentence

1. The new law aggrieves many workers who feel their rights are being taken away.
2. The unfair decision aggrieved her deeply, making her feel very upset.

Advanced Usage

In legal contexts, you might hear phrases like "aggrieved party," which refers to a person who has been wronged or has suffered harm due to someone else's actions.

Word Variants

• Aggrievement (noun): The state of being aggrieved. For example: "His aggrievement was evident in his complaint."
• Aggrieved (adjective): Feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated. For example: "She felt aggrieved by the decision of the committee."

Different Meanings

While "aggrieve" primarily focuses on feelings of sorrow or unfair treatment, it can also refer to actions that violate someone's rights. However, it does not have many different meanings beyond these contexts.

Synonyms

• Wrong
• Offend
• Distress
• Upset
• Hurt

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

While there are no commonly used idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "aggrieve," you may encounter phrases that express similar feelings, such as: - "Rub someone the wrong way": To irritate or annoy someone. - "Step on someone's toes": To offend someone by interfering in their affairs.

Summary

In summary, "aggrieve" is about causing someone sadness or distress, often related to unfair treatment or violations of rights.

Academic

Verb

1. cause to feel sorrow
   • his behavior grieves his mother
2. infringe on the rights of

Synonyms

• grieve