1
a
: deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement
his grief over his son's death
b
: a cause of such suffering
life's joys and griefs
2
b
: annoying or playful criticism
getting grief from his friends
c
: an unfortunate outcome : disaster
—used chiefly in the phrase come to grief
d
3
obsolete
: grievance sense 2
Synonyms
Examples of grief in a Sentence
He has been unable to recover from his grief at his son's death.
She was overcome with grief.
the joys and griefs of our lives
I've had enough grief for one day.
Trying to fix the computer isn't worth the grief.
He's taken a lot of grief from his friends.
His friends have been giving him a lot of grief.
Recent Examples on the Web
This is a wisp of a premise — aside from her muted graffiti efforts, our protagonist’s grief manifests itself more as general moodiness than anything particularly tangible.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
The approach transforms what could have been sensationalist schlock into a nuanced study of trauma and grief and the emotional hold the dead still exert on the living.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
Comedy is a way for not just professional entertainers to process that existential grief, but a tool for anybody working through this massive threat to our democratic system.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024
Jones died yesterday evening at 91 at his home in Bel Air, leading to an outpouring of grief on social media from across the screen entertainment and music worlds.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grief 
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
The approach transforms what could have been sensationalist schlock into a nuanced study of trauma and grief and the emotional hold the dead still exert on the living.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
Comedy is a way for not just professional entertainers to process that existential grief, but a tool for anybody working through this massive threat to our democratic system.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024
Jones died yesterday evening at 91 at his home in Bel Air, leading to an outpouring of grief on social media from across the screen entertainment and music worlds.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grief
Dictionary Entries Near grief
Cite this Entry
“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grief. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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Medical Definition
grief
noun
: deep and poignant emotional distress caused by or as if by bereavement
Although, there is no consensus on the defining features that would distinguish normal and pathological grief, it is generally accepted that grief becomes pathological when the reactions are excessive, prolonged, or unresolved.—Jaye Wald and Rosemarie Alvaro, The Journal of Rehabilitation
Jaye Wald and Rosemarie Alvaro, The Journal of Rehabilitation
also
: a cause of such suffering
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