1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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
Yard signs, flags, murals, memorials, ribbons and graffiti silently speak volumes of what this city and region have faced, conveying the idea that life here doesn’t move on from grief but instead moves forward hand in hand with it and forever changed by it.
—
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
Friends question her sanity and stability, and Helen loses herself further inside her mounting grief.
—Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Mandy Jankus is a certified Grief & Mental Health Coach, Human Communication Instructor at Bellevue College and mom to two kids who are learning a lot about grief.
—Mandy Jankus, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
The notion of grief gradually fades into the backdrop, finally re-emerging in a manner that is, thanks to the film’s lumpy tonal mixture, more confusing than emotionally cleansing.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grief
Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
Friends question her sanity and stability, and Helen loses herself further inside her mounting grief.
—Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Mandy Jankus is a certified Grief & Mental Health Coach, Human Communication Instructor at Bellevue College and mom to two kids who are learning a lot about grief.
—Mandy Jankus, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
The notion of grief gradually fades into the backdrop, finally re-emerging in a manner that is, thanks to the film’s lumpy tonal mixture, more confusing than emotionally cleansing.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grief
Noun
-
Strangers from around the world have expressed their condolences and sorrow in an online obituary for the couple.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the deaths and ordered authorities to use all available resources to prevent further losses.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Republican ends Minnesota governor bid over immigration enforcement Chris Madel, a Republican, ended his campaign for Minnesota governor after less than two months, citing frustration with the party and the way federal officials have carried out immigration operations in the state.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Now, nearly in February, frustration and isolation are growing for Rowland and fellow residents.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, the announcement has not dispelled the uncertainty or anguish among detainees’ families.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Nacua lay on the turf at Bank of America Stadium, not in physical pain but instead in mental anguish.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the meantime, some may recall then UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s exasperation over the planning for D-Day, the operation that would liberate Western Europe from Nazi Germany.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Fans have argued this point for decades, and Cameron approached it with an unexpected mix of passion and exasperation.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
17 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Just avoid placing them directly against bare skin for extended periods to prevent irritation or burns.—
Ashlea Halpern,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Rarely, salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Last year, after Mayor Todd Gloria and the council completed a long-term con job that imposed trash fees on 220,000-plus homes at rates that were far higher than promised in 2022, anger was common.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Swallowing your anger has only allowed this problem to fester.—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grief. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
