grief

noun \ ˈgrēf \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: grief in a Sentence

Definition of grief

1 obsolete : grievance 3

2 a : deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement

his grief over his son's death

b : a cause of such suffering

life's joys and griefs

3 a : an unfortunate outcome : disaster —used chiefly in the phrase come to grief

b : mishap, misadventure

c : trouble, annoyance

enough grief for one day

d : annoying or playful criticism

getting grief from his friends

See grief defined for English-language learners

See grief defined for kids

Examples of grief in a Sentence

He has been unable to recover from his grief at his son's death.
She was overcome with grief.
the joys and griefs of our lives
I've had enough grief for one day.
Trying to fix the computer isn't worth the grief.
He's taken a lot of grief from his friends.
His friends have been giving him a lot of grief.

Recent Examples of grief from the Web

After art therapy fails, a desperate Annie attends grief counseling group, and finds solace in the help of a kindly widow, played by Ann Dowd, who gets to have great fun here in a role with late-breaking significance.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "'Hereditary': Toni Collette is the main attraction of this old school horror movie layered thick with original ideas," 6 June 2018
Jon Lester said some of his teammates have been giving Jake Arrieta grief over not facing the Cubs in a three-game series starting Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

— mark gonzales, chicagotribune.com, "Cubs ready to welcome Jake Arrieta back to Wrigley Field," 5 June 2018
Volunteers are compassionate with children experiencing grief and have a few hours on Sundays to facilitate a peer support group.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windsor Edition," 5 June 2018
The shock, fear and grief stoked by Kilauea is playing out in very different ways on the island.

— barnini chakraborty, Fox News, "Kilauea one-month anniversary has residents on edge, seeking mental help," 3 June 2018
The numbers for Thomas and Kamara illustrate why a player shouldn't get grief for skipping OTAs as part of a negotiating tactic.

— larry holder, NOLA.com, "Saints following successful strategy by leaning on young, inexpensive talent," 3 June 2018
That is not often how grief moves through a family.

— theresa vargas, Washington Post, "He lost his granddaughter, then son. Now, this cemetery caretaker rests near them.," 2 June 2018
The loss of a miscarriage is not talked about enough – that’s massive grief to certain women.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Nicole Kidman Opens Up About The “Massive Grief” Of Having A Miscarriage," 1 June 2018
While there’s a beauty in the simplicity of its narrative, contrasted by the complexity of grief through which O’Barr was inspired by- a result of his own personal tragedy, The Crow has been one of the most challenging films for Hollywood to remake.

— richard newby, The Hollywood Reporter, "Why 'The Crow' Should Not Fly Again," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grief.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of grief

Middle English gref, from Anglo-French gref, grief injustice, calamity, from gref, adjective heavy, grievous, from Vulgar Latin *grevis, alteration of Latin gravis — see grieve

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

grief Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of grief

sorrow, grief, anguish, woe, regret mean distress of mind. sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

- a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

- the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

- the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

- cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

- nagging regret for missed opportunities

GRIEF Defined for English Language Learners

grief

noun

Definition of grief for English Language Learners

: deep sadness caused especially by someone's death
: a cause of deep sadness
: trouble or annoyance

GRIEF Defined for Kids

grief

noun \ ˈgrēf \

Definition of grief for Students

1 : very deep sorrow

2 : a cause of sorrow

The dog was nothing but grief to its owner.

3 : things that cause problems

I've had enough grief for one day.

4 : an unfortunate happening

The boat came to grief on the rocks.

Medical Dictionary

grief

noun \ ˈgrēf \

medical Definition of grief

: deep and poignant emotional distress caused by or as if by bereavement

Although, there is no consensus on the defining features that would distinguish normal and pathological grief, it is generally accepted that grief becomes pathological when the reactions are excessive, prolonged, or unresolved.
—Jaye Wald and Rosemarie Alvaro, The Journal of Rehabilitation, 1 Oct. 2004

also : a cause of such suffering