aggrieve

IPA/əˈɡriːv/
KK[əɡrˈiv]IPA/əˈɡriːv/

aggrieve — verb

  • aggrievepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • aggrieves3rd person singular
  • aggrieving-ing form
  • aggrievedpast simple

1. to leave someone feeling hurt and resentful, especially after unfair treatment.

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to leave someone feeling hurt and resentful, especially after unfair treatment.

Example

The judge's harsh remarks aggrieved the parents who had come for help.

aggrieve + person after unfair words

Nadia felt aggrieved when the coach blamed her for the team's loss.

feel aggrieved + when-clause

Common collocations
  • feel aggrieved
  • be aggrieved by
  • deeply aggrieved
  • aggrieved parents
Synonyms
  • upset

    more common and less formal; it does not always imply unfairness

  • distress

    often stronger and more focused on suffering or worry

  • offend

    focuses on insult or disrespect rather than broader unfair treatment

Antonyms
  • comfort

    focuses on easing emotional pain

  • reassure

    emphasises calming worries or hurt feelings

Grammar Patterns

aggrieve + person

feel aggrieved

be aggrieved by + noun

Usage Note

Often passive or used after feel. The cause is usually an unfair comment, decision, or treatment rather than physical damage.

Common Mistakes

The article aggrieved about local families.
The article aggrieved local families.
'aggrieve' takes the people who suffer as its direct object.

2. to damage a person's rights or interests, or to deny them something they should

2.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to damage a person's rights or interests, or to deny them something they should legally have.

Example

The new tax rule aggrieved small exporters who depended on overseas orders.

policy aggrieves a group with economic interests

Lawyers argued that the permit delay aggrieved residents living beside the factory.

formal complaint: aggrieved residents

Common collocations
  • aggrieved residents
  • aggrieved party
  • aggrieved by a policy
  • aggrieve rights-holders
Synonyms
  • harm

    broader and less legal; harm can cover physical or emotional damage too

  • wrong

    close when the speaker stresses unfair treatment or denied rights

  • prejudice

    formal and often used for damaging a case, claim, or interest

Antonyms
  • protect

    emphasises keeping rights or interests safe

  • uphold

    used especially for rules, rights, or legal protections

Grammar Patterns

aggrieve + group

be aggrieved by + policy

aggrieve + rights-holder

Usage Note

Common in legal or administrative complaints. The object is usually a person or group whose rights, interests, or access have been harmed.

Common Mistakes

The court aggrieved against the tenants.
The court aggrieved the tenants.
the harmed party is the direct object, not the object of 'against'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Aggrieve' is much more formal and rarer than everyday words like 'upset' or 'offend'. 'Upset' is the broad choice when something makes a person unhappy, but it does not by itself suggest unfair treatment. 'Offend' is narrower: it usually points to rude words or behaviour that hurt someone's feelings. 'Wrong' comes closest to aggrieve's legal side, because it can mean treating someone unfairly or denying what they deserve. Use 'aggrieve' when you want both emotional hurt and a sense of injustice. A rude joke may upset or offend a worker; an unfair dismissal may aggrieve that worker. A bad comment can offend a parent, but a biased decision can aggrieve the whole family.

aggrieve ↗upset ↗offend ↗wrong ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • feel aggrieved
  • be aggrieved by
  • an aggrieved party

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

From Old French 'agrever' and Latin 'aggravare', a verb meaning 'to make heavier' or 'to burden'. In English, the idea of weighing someone down developed into the formal senses of causing grievance, emotional hurt, or injury to a person's rights and interests.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1