grief

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word grief different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of grief are anguish, regret, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When is it sensible to use anguish instead of grief?

The meanings of anguish and grief largely overlap; however, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When would regret be a good substitute for grief?

The words regret and grief are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When is sorrow a more appropriate choice than grief?

While the synonyms sorrow and grief are close in meaning, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When might woe be a better fit than grief?

The synonyms woe and grief are sometimes interchangeable, but woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grief Ambiguous Loss: Mourning the Intangible Unlike tangible losses, ambiguous loss pertains to the grief experienced over intangible elements—such as trust, identity, or a sense of belonging. Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 This coming-of-age story explores grief, the power of community and the rise of an unexpected internet legend. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025 Several people have taken to social media to express their grief following the incident. Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025 The physical effects of grief had finally caught up with me. Kathleen Ferraro, SELF, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grief
Noun
  • And then, to forever live on earth, in a place with conflict and pain and sorrow, that’s not her goal.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In churches like this, where belief is expressed in multiple languages, the loss of a pope is a death in the family, and the sorrow, like the faith, runs deep.
    Janet Shamlian, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This has been a source of frustration for the woman’s mother, who desires more time with her grandchildren.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • This largely comes from a place of frustration at what is perceived as self-hate.
    Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But Season 2, by leaning so far into its characters’ anguish, has become more circular and suffocating in its storytelling.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Coogler attempts to out-scare Jordan Peele’s Get Out, using horror tropes to match the anguish expressed by the blues.
    Armond White, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Malone seemed to realize his players were tuning him out, but his own exasperation peaked on March 21 after a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 11 Apr. 2025
  • But, at a time when the Democratic Party’s approval rating is at a historic low, constituents are venting their exasperation with their party as well.
    Emily Witt, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Moreover, over 70% of participants experienced mild skin irritation from the vinegar.
    Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025
  • These shifts can have a significant impact on the skin barrier, often leading to irritation, dryness, or breakouts.
    Cierra Black, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to …boffo box office!
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The focal point of our anger and pain may not even know we are hurt.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grief. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grief

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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