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

Examples 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 Holker opens up about navigating grief, supporting their three children, and discovering that beneath Boss’s infectious joy lay hidden struggles with addiction and self-doubt. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 11 Jan. 2025 The case has drawn significant attention with an outpouring of grief from fans and loved ones of the two brothers. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025 In the hospital morgue, a man could be seen kneeling and bidding farewell to a relative before slamming a refrigerator door in an outburst of grief. Wafaa Shurafa, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025 For the better part of two centuries, the Easy Chair—the oldest column in American journalism—has as often as not been a source of grief for its occupants. Christopher Carroll, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for grief 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grief
Noun
  • The principal of Dos Pueblos High School, Bill Woodard, expressed sorrow about the beloved teacher’s death.
    Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Sadly, the reunion would leave the Bernstein family with lasting wounds and sorrow.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • For instance, neurodivergent students may struggle to focus and absorb information effectively, leading to frustration, which further fuels the problem.
    William Jones, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
  • Moments of joy and vulnerability are interwoven with frustration, sadness, and fear.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • However, numbers cannot articulate the magnitude of anguish as the disaster upends families and dismantles livelihoods.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The stark destruction has brought him to his knees in prayer and anguish.
    Andrea Riquier, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Time and again, parents and victims expressed exasperation to The Times that so many of these men kept operating.
    Jennifer Valentino-DeVries, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
  • Anthony Edwards approached Gobert, the center responded and exasperation overcame Edwards.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 28 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Short-term exposure can cause irritation, breathing difficulties and exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Cover irritating clothing seams with a smooth material such as silk to avoid abrasive irritation.
    Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • At the same time, stay calm and don’t rise to meet their anger with your anger.
    Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025
  • And last year, employee anger over losing their pensions was at the heart of negotiations between Boeing and its machinist workers.
    Dan Doonan, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near grief

Cite this Entry

“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grief. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grief

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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