aggrieved - Master This Word
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aggrieved Word Meanings
- to cause distress or harm
- to grievance or complain
- to infringe upon someone's rights
aggrieved Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
aggrieved Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/əˈɡriːv/
US
/əˈɡriv/
aggrieved Word Etymology
Root decomposition: 'ag-' (to) + 'grieve' (sorrow). Historical origin: Latin 'agrivare' → Old French 'aggriever' → English 'aggrieve'. Memory image: Imagine a person who causes others to feel deep sorrow, visually depicted by a heart weighed down by heavy stones, representing the burden of their actions.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Aggrieve is a formal verb meaning to cause distress, harm, or injustice to someone; it can also mean to provoke a grievance or complaint, or to infringe upon someone’s rights. The word is common in legal, historical, or literary contexts and is less likely to appear in everyday speech. Learners should note its distinction from similar words like grieve (to feel sorrow) and aggravate (to make worse). In usage, you might say a policy aggrieves certain groups by restricting rights or access, especially in formal discussions of fairness and rights violations.
Usage Reminders
- Be clear that aggrieve describes causing distress or rights violation, not simply feeling sad; use be aggrieved to talk about someone who suffers; avoid using aggrieve to mean 'make worse' (that is aggravate); check subject of the action; prefer formal contexts like policy or law; contrast with grieve when speaking of personal sorrow.
Common Misconceptions
- It means simply to feel sad.
- It is a direct synonym of grieve.
- It is something you say about yourself, not about harming others.
- It is a common everyday verb in spoken English.
- It only applies to legal rights violations.
Thinking Differences
English learners should note that aggrieve is a formal, rights-focused verb used mainly in legal or academic contexts; common mistakes include treating it as a generic emotional verb or confusing it with grieve or aggravate. Pay attention to who is affected (the subject of the action) and to phrases like be aggrieved or aggrieved party.
Learning Tips
- Learn the core meaning: causing distress or rights infringement, not just sadness.
- Differentiate aggrieve from grieve (feel sorrow) and aggravate (make worse).
- Use in policy, law, or historical texts to sound accurate.
- Practice active voice: be aggrieved vs. someone is aggrieved.
- Check the agent: who is causing the grievance vs who is aggrieved.
- Read examples in legal contexts to reinforce collocations like rights, injustice, and violation.
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