Grievances

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹiː.vən.sɪz/

Definitions

1. Formal articulations of discontent about injustices or perceived wrongs
2. Complaints or concerns presented by individuals or collectives regarding treatment they deem unfair
3. Concerns raised by individuals or groups that express dissatisfaction with situations they view as unjust or improperly handled

Etymology: "Grievances" is the plural of "grievance", and the singular is the more interesting part. It came into English from Old French "grievance", which was built on the verb "grever", meaning to burden, weigh down, or annoy. That verb in turn descends from Latin "gravare", to make heavy, from "gravis", heavy, the same root that gives English "grave" and "gravity". So at its core, a grievance is something that weighs on a person. The sense of a formal complaint, a wrong that justifies protest, grew out of that original image of a burden. The English noun still carries the older feeling of being weighed down: a grievance is a load you have been made to carry, usually by someone else's action or by an unfair situation.

Synonyms: complaints, protests, objections, dissatisfactions, issues

Antonyms: contentment, satisfaction, acceptance, approval, agreement