GRIEF Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

grief

noun

ˈgrēf

Definition of grief

as in sorrow

deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved even the gruff grandfather felt a heartbreaking grief when the family dog died

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in frustration

the feeling of impatience or anger caused by another's repeated disagreeable acts there seemed to be no end to the grief that the school bullies were giving to the young boy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Sarah Deer, a professor at the University of Kansas School of Law, said delays and dysfunction among federal investigators are compounding families’ grief. — Sarah Raza, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 And so the intensity of their grief — and the heavy burden of having to decide whether the time had come to say goodbye — opened up not just emotional questions, but spiritual ones, too. — Casper Ter Kuile, Vox, 16 Sep. 2026 The loudest alarms back then came from outsiders — misfit investors like Michael Burry and academics like Raghuram Rajan — who got plenty of grief for their candor. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026 Its grief is processual, a crucible that takes the shape its actors and characters mold of it while defying mere mortal charge. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grief

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grief

Noun

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in separate statements and expressed sorrow over the deaths.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
In direct contradiction to Herzog, Zamir’s office stated that Azaria had never expressed sorrow or remorse about the killing.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

Officials familiar with the higher casualty number expressed frustration that the additional loss of life is not reflected in the Pentagon's public casualty portal.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
Because the therapy is off-label, insurance routinely denies coverage, forcing clinicians and patients to improvise — a frustration that Dombo experienced firsthand.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of frustration

Noun

The organization said the discoveries had deepened the anguish of families searching for loved ones.

— Mogomotsi Magome, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Their mental anguish, out-of-pocket expenses, the time caregivers devote to their work, the wages lost from forgone work — all create spectacular costs for America’s families.

— Jason Karlawish, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

Foulkes leveraged public exasperation over the cost and pace of the bridge project for her argument that McKee’s administration isn’t working for most Rhode Islanders.

— Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
By the 11th game of the third set, Keys was hitting herself in the head with her racket, taking her cap off and sighing deep breaths that were either meant to steady her or out of exasperation.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of exasperation

Noun

Veterinarian Kelly Hood adds that dogs with skin or respiratory sensitivities are especially vulnerable to irritation.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
My feelings about Dudamel as an interpreter have ranged from irritation at his turn-it-up-to-11 showiness to admiration for his ability to make listeners hear music afresh.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of irritation

Noun

Lee’s film is motivated less by anger and more by curiosity, compassion and a general confusion, as no one quite knows how to behave or feel or just be.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
In politics—according to Berman and, by extension, Longwell—the most convincing arguments play to love, sympathy, greed, fear, and anger.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of anger

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gridlocks

grief

griefs

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“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grief. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of grief

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Synonyms of grief

noun

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Phrases Containing grief

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Cite this Entry

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