Grief vs. Sorrow — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Grief and Sorrow
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Definitions
Grief
Grief is the response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or some living thing that has died, to which a bond or affection was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, grief also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, cultural, spiritual and philosophical dimensions.
Sorrow
A feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others
A bereaved person needs time to work through their sorrow
Grief
Intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death
She was overcome with grief
Sorrow
Feel or display deep distress
A woman had cried all night, sorrowing over the death of her husband
Grief
Trouble or annoyance
We were too tired to cause any grief
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Sorrow
Mental suffering caused by loss, disappointment, or misfortune, or an instance of this
Tried to assuage her sorrows.
Grief
Deep mental anguish, as that arising from bereavement, or an instance of this.
Sorrow
A source or cause of sorrow; a misfortune
"I must struggle through my sorrows and difficulties as I can" (Jane Austen).
Grief
A source or cause of deep mental anguish
"That knowledge would be a grief to her" (Tobias Wolff).
Sorrow
Expression of sorrow, or an instance of this
I listened to his sorrows.
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Grief
Annoyance or frustration, or an instance of this
Trying to follow their directions was nothing but grief.
Sorrow
To feel or express sorrow.
Grief
Trouble or difficulty, or an instance of this
The griefs of trying to meet a deadline.
Sorrow
(uncountable) unhappiness, woe
Grief
(Informal) Criticism or rude talk
Gave me a lot of grief about being late.
Sorrow
(countable) usually in plural An instance or cause of unhappiness.
Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Grief
(Archaic) A grievance.
Sorrow
(intransitive) To feel or express grief.
Grief
Suffering, hardship.
The neighbour's teenage give me grief every time they see me.
Sorrow
(transitive) To feel grief over; to mourn, regret.
Grief
Emotional pain, generally arising from misfortune, significant personal loss, bereavement, misconduct of oneself or others, etc.; sorrow; sadness.
She was worn out from so much grief.
The betrayal caused Jeff grief.
Sorrow
The uneasiness or pain of mind which is produced by the loss of any good, real or supposed, or by diseappointment in the expectation of good; grief at having suffered or occasioned evil; regret; unhappiness; sadness.
How great a sorrow suffereth now Arcite!
The safe and general antidote against sorrow is employment.
Grief
(countable) Cause or instance of sorrow or pain; that which afflicts or distresses; trial.
Sorrow
To feel pain of mind in consequence of evil experienced, feared, or done; to grieve; to be sad; to be sorry.
Sorrowing most of all . . . that they should see his face no more.
I desire no man to sorrow for me.
Grief
(online gaming) To deliberately harass and annoy or cause grief to other players of a game in order to interfere with their enjoyment of it; especially, to do this as one’s primary activity in the game.
Sorrow
An emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement;
He tried to express his sorrow at her loss
Grief
Pain of mind on account of something in the past; mental suffering arising from any cause, as misfortune, loss of friends, misconduct of one's self or others, etc.; sorrow; sadness.
The mother was so afflicted at the loss of a fine boy, . . . that she died for grief of it.
Sorrow
Sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment;
He drank to drown his sorrows
He wrote a note expressing his regret
To his rue, the error cost him the game
Grief
Cause of sorrow or pain; that which afficts or distresses; trial; grievance.
Be factious for redress of all these griefs.
Sorrow
Something that causes great unhappiness;
Her death was a great grief to John
Grief
Physical pain, or a cause of it; malady.
This grief (cancerous ulcers) hastened the end of that famous mathematician, Mr. Harriot.
Sorrow
The state of being sad;
She tired of his perpetual sadness
Grief
Intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
Sorrow
Feel grief; eat one's heart out
Grief
Something that causes great unhappiness;
Her death was a great grief to John
