grief

noun

ˈgrēf How to pronounce grief (audio)
Definition of griefnext
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

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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

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 Val Kilmer’s family asks to mourn privately, Tom Cruise makes his grief public. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2025 The comedian’s launchpad for jokes focus on the grief she’s felt for her parents, dad Donald and stepmom Janice Silverman, who died 10 days apart from one another in 2023. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025 The Board of Trustees shares in the profound grief of this senseless act of violence and extends its deepest condolences to the victim’s family, friends, and loved ones. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025 In that moment of grief and exhaustion, something shifted. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grief
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grief
  1. sorrow
  2. frustration
  3. anguish
  4. exasperation
  5. irritation
  6. anger
Noun
  • Tomorrow is the day this profound sorrow renews my motivation.
    — Bluesky Social, Bluesky Social, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • Jeff: When meeting with reporters on Wednesday, Chastain indicated he was mystified and offended by Logano’s post-race comments expressing frustration with the Trackhouse Racing driver.
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Several owners of food and drink establishments have spoken with The Star in recent months to share their frustrations about property crimes affecting businesses across Kansas City.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • In the episode, Duran describes his mental anguish during that time and some of the steps he’s taken since then to improve his mental health.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway.
    — Outside Online, Outside Online, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • People react to news of some Frappuccinos leaving Starbucks menu Reactions on the social platform X on Tuesday ranged from sadness and exasperation that a favorite drink was going away to acceptance that the move makes sense for Starbucks.
    — Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Coupe, Marino and Lee are in a comparably broad comedic register, each leaning into amusing notes of exasperation.
    — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • Throw a retinol serum into the mix, and you could be left with even more skin irritation, Tournas notes.
    — Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • For those with sensitive skin — or if overused — AHAs can compromise the skin barrier, causing redness and irritation.
    — Victoria Jowett, Refinery29, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of irritation
Noun
  • Shock and anger Economists warn the new taxes will result in higher prices and slower growth in the United States — while spilling over into other countries and hurting the global economy.
    — Maria Aspan, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Unlike Molly, who's politely reticent and reluctant to speak up for herself, Nikki can't resist expressing her anger and sorrow—or, more precisely, dramatizing them for whatever audience of oncologists happens to be in range.
    — Dory Jackson, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of anger

Phrases Containing grief

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gridlocks
grief
griefs
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Cite this Entry

“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grief. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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