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 Two days after the murders, at Roof’s bond hearing, the families of the dead spoke through their grief. David Remnick, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025 While grief, faith and love are embedded throughout the film, the last of those themes is what Franklin hopes inspires viewers the most. Giana Levy, Variety, 27 Sep. 2025 The story becomes less of a character study of the strange ways in which grief manifests and more about the escalating hijinks of a lie that takes on a wild life of its own. Lindsey Bahr, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025 Beneath her white coat and calm demeanor lived a woman weathered by trauma, grief, and emotional abandonment. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grief
Noun
  • Neighbors and members of the community in Grand Blanc, Michigan, expressed shock and sorrow in interviews with Fox News Digital.
    Anders Hagstrom , Garrett Tenney, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Words cannot capture the depth of our sorrow for their loss.
    Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Despite the growing frustration surrounding the play, Payton remains steadfast in his belief that the play should not be outlawed.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • New York — An explosion at a New York City apartment building blew off a floor-to-roof chunk of the high-rise – terrifying residents in the Bronx and fueling frustration and outrage as to how this could have happened.
    Holly Yan, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Garner watches his anguish, with respect.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Although many questions remain, the few answers the Vaneks have, however tenuous, serve as an antidote to the anguish of never knowing.
    Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The move reflects their exasperation with the Israeli leader, and a potentially existential moment for Israel.
    Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
  • Kansas coach Lance Leipold didn’t bother to hide his exasperation.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rubbing Your Eyes Rubbing your eyes might provide immediate relief for itchiness or irritation, but this habit can cause lasting damage.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Acute exposure may cause drowsiness, dizziness and headaches, as well as eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation, and unconsciousness at high levels.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Verbatim Reginald Dwayne Betts A 2012 essay from the American Poetry Review on poetry and the architecture of anger.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Morocco Anti-government protests fueled by anger over Morocco pouring money into preparations for the 2030 World Cup instead of public services have raged in the country for nearly a week.
    Connor Greene, Time, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on grief

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