grieve

[greev]

verb (used without object)

grieved, grieving 

1. to feel grief or great sorrow.

   She has grieved over his death for nearly three years.

   Synonyms: suffer, bemoan, bewail, weep, lament

verb (used with object)

grieved, grieving 

1. to distress mentally; cause to feel grief or sorrow.

   It grieves me to see you so unhappy.

   Synonyms: pain, sadden

2. Archaic.,  to oppress or wrong.

grieve

¹

/ ɡriːv /

verb

1. to feel or cause to feel great sorrow or distress, esp at the death of someone

2. obsolete,  (tr) to inflict injury, hardship, or sorrow on

grieve

²

/ ɡriːv /

noun

1. a farm manager or overseer

Other Word Forms

• grievedly adverb
• griever noun
• grievingly adverb
• nongrieved adjective
• nongrieving adjective
• overgrieve verb
• ungrieved adjective
• ungrieving adjective
• grieving noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grieve¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English greven, grieven, from Old French grever, from Latin gravāre “to burden,” verb derivative of gravis “heavy”; grave ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of grieve¹

C13: from Old French grever, from Latin gravāre to burden, from gravis heavy

Origin of grieve²

C15: from Old English (Northumbrian) græfa reeve

Synonym Study

Grieve, mourn imply showing suffering caused by sorrow. Grieve is the stronger word, implying deep mental suffering often endured alone and in silence but revealed by one's aspect: to grieve over the loss (or death ) of a friend. Mourn usually refers to manifesting sorrow outwardly, either with or without sincerity: to mourn publicly and wear black.

Example Sentences

It was eventually decided that the male protagonist, Tate Donovan — to be played by Jake Gyllenhaal in the movie — would be an architect who is grieving the loss of his sister.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A community just a few miles from here, but also all over the UK, is terrorised, frightened and grieving.

Read more on BBC

“Please know that I am praying for you, grieving with you, and will continue to face this tragedy with honesty, responsibility, and compassion,” he added.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"The family is shocked by the tragic, sudden death of such a lovely down to earth man" the tribute added, as the family asked for privacy to grieve.

Read more on BBC

Mr Griffiths said he felt he could finally grieve, knowing those responsible would be held accountable.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ache 
• cry 
• lament 
• regret 
• wail 
• weep 

When To Use

What does grieve mean?

To grieve is to feel or express intense grief—mental or emotional suffering or distress caused by loss or regret.Grieve often means the same thing as mourn. It’s especially used in the context of someone who is mourning the death of a loved one.However, the word can also be used in the context of other situations involving loss or regret, such as the end of a relationship or the loss of a job.Less commonly, grieve can mean to cause someone to feel grief, as in It grieves me to see you so sad.Grieve should not be confused with bereave, which means to take away and leave devastated. Those who are grieving are those who have been bereaved.Example: After losing someone close, it’s important to take the time to grieve.