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 Minnesota, even in its grief and trauma over the needless deaths of two of its citizens at the hands of the state, is managing to show that communication and negotiation are possible. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026 As father and son venture deeper into the wilderness, their journey becomes a meditation on grief, survival and the meaning of paternal instinct. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Feb. 2026 Our grief is overwhelming, and her absence is felt in every part of our lives. —Doug Lantz, ABC News, 6 Feb. 2026 The Violet Hour is sweet and heartwarming tale of friendship, grief, and the feeling that only a Southern breeze can give you. —Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026 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
  • Buckley navigates the film in elemental sorrow without sentimentality, delivering what many consider the performance of the year, and undoubtedly her career so far.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Now, their families are turning sorrow into service.
    — Ashley Paul, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • Inflation has weighed on shoppers, and customers have voiced frustration over cluttered stores and inconsistent merchandise that strayed from the retailer’s identity as a polished, affordable-chic chain.
    — Emily Lorsch, NBC news, 10 Feb. 2026
  • DeRozan said Sacramento’s poor play was the source of his outward show of frustration following an alley-oop dunk by Zion Williamson in the third period.
    — HECTOR AMEZCUA, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of frustration
Noun
  • White’s dialogue is unsentimental but rife with anguish; Owen Teague and a seductive, destructive Abbey Lee give the pain its due.
    — Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
  • His murder was met with fury and anguish.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • Conversations with him on this topic tend to be a bacchanal of profanity and exasperation.
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Though Miami has made the playoffs every year this decade, and gone to two Finals in the past six years, fan exasperation stems from a team (with historically high standards and achievement) remaining in play-in purgatory for what’s headed toward a fourth consecutive season.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of exasperation
Noun
  • Signs that a neti pot may be dirty or causing issues for another reason include persistent nasal irritation, worsening congestion, frequent nosebleeds or the development of sinus infections.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
  • As the drinks went down, mutual irritation rose.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of irritation
Noun
  • The manipulations also affected how much sadness and anger participants reported feeling while scrolling.
    — Simon Makin, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Iran at home faces still-simmering anger over its wide-ranging suppression of all dissent in the Islamic Republic.
    — Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
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 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on grief

Nglish: Translation of grief for Spanish Speakers

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