grieve

verb

ˈgrēv

grieved; grieving

Synonyms of grieve next

transitive verb

: to cause to suffer : distress

it grieves me to see him this way

: to feel or show grief over

grieving the death of her son

: to submit a formal grievance concerning

grieve a dismissal

intransitive verb

: to feel grief : sorrow

still grieving over their mother's death

Examples of grieve in a Sentence

It grieves me to see my brother struggling like this. Her decision to live overseas grieved her mother. People need time to grieve after the death of a family member. The children are still grieving the death of their mother.

Recent Examples on the Web Still grieving dead friends, her mind must also turn to what’s next for her family. —

Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 13 Sep. 2023 The surviving cast reunited for the 2022 sequel, which helped give the close group an outlet to grieve the star. —

Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023 New York City Mayor Eric Adams noted in the announcement the victims’ families who continue to grieve. —

Kristina Sgueglia, CNN, 8 Sep. 2023 The royal family and the world grieved her passing and honored her life with various memorials during the period of royal mourning established by the king. —

Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Sep. 2023 Across the chain of Hawaiian islands - notably the larger, more populated islands of Hawaii and Oahu - many residents are grieving and fearing that a West Maui disaster could strike their communities. —

Darryl Fears, Allyson Chiu and Elahe Izadi, Anchorage Daily News, 4 Sep. 2023 So to help grieving fans/Joey B admirers, The Filson Queen City Kitchen & Bar, located at 25 E. Freedom Way in The Banks, is offering a Sad Girl Shot, priced at only 9 cents, in honor of the quarterback's jersey number. —

Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2023 Across the chain of Hawaiian islands — notably the larger, more populated islands of Hawaii and Oahu — many residents are grieving and fearing that a West Maui disaster could strike their communities. —

Elahe Izadi, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023 Where to watch: Peacock (starting Friday) 'Love Again' Priyanka Chopra Jonas stars in the romantic comedy as a children's book author still grieving her dead fiancé. —

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grieve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English greven, from Anglo-French grever, from Latin gravare to burden, from gravis heavy, grave; akin to Greek barys heavy, Sanskrit guru

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of grieve was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Grieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grieve. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

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Kids Definition

grieve

verb

ˈgrēv

grieved; grieving

: to cause grief or suffering to : distress

: to feel or express grief

: to submit a formal grievance concerning

griever noun

Etymology

Middle English greven "to distress, grieve," from early French grever (same meaning), from Latin gravare "to burden," from gravis "heavy, serious" — related to aggravate, grave entry 3, gravity