Is grief stronger than sadness?

Yes. Grief usually means stronger sadness after a major loss, especially death.

What is the difference between grief and mourning?

Grief is the feeling. Mourning is the outward way people show that feeling.

Can grief be used in business or academic writing?

Yes, but mostly when discussing loss, trauma, or mental health.

How do I use grief in a sentence?

You can say, 'She was overwhelmed with grief after the accident.'

← Dictionary

grief

/ɡriːf/

IELTSAcademic

noun

Grief is deep sadness, especially because someone has died or something very important has been lost.

She felt grief after her father's death.
The family was in deep grief.
Time eased her grief a little.

Adinary Nuance

Grief is deeper and more specific than sadness. It usually refers to strong pain after death or serious loss, while sadness can be milder and more general. Compared with sorrow, grief feels more personal and heavy, especially in emotional or formal contexts.

In other languages

Vietnamese: nỗi đau buồn
Spanish: duelo
Chinese: 悲伤
Japanese: 悲しみ
Korean: 슬픔

Etymology

Grief came into English from Old French greif, meaning "hardship" or "suffering," in the 13th century. Its meaning later became strongly linked to sadness after loss.

Common phrases

deep griefa wave of griefgrief and lossgrief counseling

Synonyms

sorrow sadness mourning heartache

Related words

loss bereavement pain comfort

Frequently asked questions

Is grief stronger than sadness?: Yes. Grief usually means stronger sadness after a major loss, especially death.
What is the difference between grief and mourning?: Grief is the feeling. Mourning is the outward way people show that feeling.
Can grief be used in business or academic writing?: Yes, but mostly when discussing loss, trauma, or mental health.
How do I use grief in a sentence?: You can say, 'She was overwhelmed with grief after the accident.'