grief

Definition of griefnext
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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 In Baghdad, thousands marched through the streets, including some who slashed their heads with razors and performed other forms of self-flagellation in a show of grief to mark the occasion. Fadi Tawil, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 Another mother sobbed and collapsed in grief as the bodies of her 3- and 10-year-old children were wrapped in blankets and carried away. ABC News, 26 June 2026 As his tussles with grief and sobriety and heartbreak appear in flashes, so do red and blue police lights. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026 Shami, overwhelmed with grief, was taken to the maternity ward to be monitored, with doctors worried about her and the baby. Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for grief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grief
Noun
  • Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026
  • These silences, heavy with sorrow, then adorn the beloved like precious jewels, conveying the idea that only a profound grief can beget such beauty.
    Krupa Shandilya, The Conversation, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Those frustrations could be on the verge of boiling over.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • But without knowing the reasons behind those decisions, the criticism amounts to nothing more than frustrations over unmet expectations.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Canada’s first-ever World Cup win was overshadowed yesterday when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg after a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch lamenting an injury that turned a night of celebration into one of anguish.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026
  • Lost in the Brazilian tears, anguish and confusion was just how clinical the Germans had been.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • The 20-second clip concluded with Lacob turning away from Dunleavy and throwing up his arms in apparent exasperation.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
  • On the first, the Napoli star was taken down by multiple defenders inside the box, leaving him again looking in exasperation at referee Ilgiz Tantashev.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Los Angeles County health officer Muntu Davis said the main public health concern was smoke and fine particles that can cause temporary irritation of the ear, nose, throat and lungs, as well as exacerbate heart and lung conditions.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026
  • The alcohol-free formula supports a healthy oral microbiome and fresh breath without causing dryness or irritation.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 June 2026
Noun
  • Research shows over half of American travelers feel exhausted, with one in five admitting to booking a trip out of anger.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Newsom, eyeing a presidential run in 2028, has spoken in recent months about populist anger directed towards tech executives whose companies have earned billions while their products threaten to automate jobs out of existence and suck up precious environmental resources.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grief. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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