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
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
The film tells the story of a tech entrepreneur (Vincent Cassel) grappling with memory and grief.
—
Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Although some in the media distort the anger directed at Rowling from trans activists, trans people, and allies, the truth is those feelings — not just anger, but betrayal and grief — are justified.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
One year out from Randall’s accident, Staten’s barely starting to get out from under his grief, with the patient and persistent support of Quinn (Minka Kelly), his late wife’s best friend and the owner of what appears to be the only bar in the sleepy Texan town of Ransom Canyon.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Cronenberg is transmitting to us from the borders of death, behind the enemy lines of inconsolable grief.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grief
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Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Although some in the media distort the anger directed at Rowling from trans activists, trans people, and allies, the truth is those feelings — not just anger, but betrayal and grief — are justified.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 18 Apr. 2025
One year out from Randall’s accident, Staten’s barely starting to get out from under his grief, with the patient and persistent support of Quinn (Minka Kelly), his late wife’s best friend and the owner of what appears to be the only bar in the sleepy Texan town of Ransom Canyon.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Cronenberg is transmitting to us from the borders of death, behind the enemy lines of inconsolable grief.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grief
Cite this Entry
“Grief.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grief. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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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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