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 While grief takes time, certain steps can help ease the transition. David Kudla, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Hayley worked on finding ways to stay present while navigating the grief from her mother's death. Julia Moore, People.com, 25 June 2025 Some people deal with grief by singing and dancing, some with jokes and laughter, and every character in DS2 is grieving something — the loss of a loved one, the theft of a childhood, the chance at a future snuffed out. Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 This is twilight music, played at the edge of grief and grace. Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for grief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grief
Noun
  • Not the murder, not the arrival of the addicted sister, but the removal of the boy that has been at the core of so much sorrow and betrayal between the sisters.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 20 June 2025
  • That haunting blend of sorrow and defiance shaped us.
    Nazanin Boniadi, Time, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • The briefings were initially planned for earlier in the week but were postponed, to the frustration of the delegation.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2025
  • And after Thursday's loss to the Astros, Kepler vented some frustrations about that managerial decision.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Drawing heavily from Qiu’s biography, My Father’s Son centers on an 18-year-old protagonist, Qiao, who loses his voice while attempting to deliver the eulogy at his father’s funeral and flees in anguish.
    Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
  • Many of us watch in anguish as our compatriots abandon their homes, desperate for a safe haven beyond the reach of oppression and destruction.
    Nazanin Boniadi, Time, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Genevieve O’Reilly’s frantic performance hides her exasperation in her dance moves, while close-ups both isolate her from the surrounding wedding guests and enhance the feeling of claustrophobia.
    Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 23 June 2025
  • In Detroit, underperforming stars and teams are usually met with empty stands, uncomfortable silences, light grumbles – at most, loud sighs of exasperation.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • The formula is lightweight and non-greasy, with a soft, powdery finish that helps prevent irritation without feeling heavy.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
  • While these could be effective for some people, there might be a risk for burning and irritation, which could further aggravate the pimple.
    Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The anger of voters is strikingly clear, though, especially for ones who have for so long been loyal to Democrats.
    Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025
  • One legacy of Biden’s disastrous 2024 campaign has Democratic anger at the refusal of some elderly politicians to recognize when the time has come to cede the spotlight.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grief. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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