grief-stricken

American  

[greef-strik-uhn] / ˈgrifˌstrɪk ən /

adjective

1. overwhelmed by grief; deeply afflicted or sorrowful.

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grief-stricken British  

adjective

1. deeply affected by sorrow or distress

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Usage

What does grief-stricken mean? Grief-stricken means overwhelmed or strongly affected by grief—mental or emotional suffering or distress caused by loss or regret.It’s especially used to describe a person who is feeling intense sorrow and loss from the death of a loved one.The word stricken is the past participle of the verb strike, but it can also be used as an adjective meaning the same thing as afflicted.The word grief can also be used in the context of other situations involving loss, such as a divorce or the loss of a job, but grief-stricken is usually only used to describe those who are feeling grief due to a death. In other words, those who are grief-stricken are usually those who are grieving or mourning.Example: She was absolutely grief-stricken after the loss of her mother.

Etymology

Origin of grief-stricken

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Tyndale introduced the English people to a God who eats with sinners, heals the sick and comforts the grief-stricken: a loving God on a mission to rescue mankind.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mary Lincoln took to her bed for weeks, grief-stricken.

From Literature

A grief-stricken community in northern Canada will mourn with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday, who is headed to the remote town of Tumbler Ridge to honor victims of a mass shooting.

From Barron's

As the sun set in the grief-stricken Canadian town of Tumbler Ridge on Wednesday, hundreds gathered in a main square, lighting candles for victims of one of the country's worst-ever mass shootings.

From Barron's

“Our family is completely grief-stricken and shocked over her loss. We’re going to have a very, very difficult time living without her,” said her brother, Tom Marantos.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anguished
• distressed
• heartbroken