grief

noun \ ˈgrēf \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

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

Most of these deaths bring not just grief to some, but also profit to others.

— The Economist, "Why undertakers are worried," 12 Apr. 2018
Intangible concepts like happiness, grief, cool, and loss run through every one of these three books, and Jackson’s essay.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Does Crafting Make People Happier?," 9 Apr. 2018
Having to break the news of a grave prognosis or terminal diagnosis can be very challenging, and witnessing a family’s grief for the loss of a beloved pet is always hard.

— denise davidson, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Local veterinarian shares stories of unforgettable patients," 8 Apr. 2018
Los Angeles Times Plus: Clark’s brother's grief was palpable at his funeral Thursday.

— benjamin oreskes, latimes.com, "Essential California: A fight with the EPA over fuel economy looms," 30 Mar. 2018
The family's raw grief was on display when Clark's brother, Stevante Clark, had to be physically restrained while confronting members of the media gathered outside the wake.

— don thompson, chicagotribune.com, "Sacramento on edge for funeral of man killed by police in backyard while holding cellphone," 29 Mar. 2018
The family's raw grief was on display when Stevante Clark, had to be physically restrained while confronting members of the media gathered outside the wake.

— USA TODAY, "Stephon Clark's brother to Sacramento mayor: 'I owe that man an apology'," 29 Mar. 2018
Shock, grief, and a feeling of incomprehensible loss washed over him.

— joe ward, Chicago Reader, "When a Chicago cop’s daughter shot herself to death, it sent her family on a mission to warn others on the growing risk of teen suicide," 28 Mar. 2018
Others included grief, bullying and multiple survivorship — people who have endured a lot in their lives.

— deborah martin, San Antonio Express-News, "The McNay Art Museum asked for survival stories and got thousands," 28 Mar. 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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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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