grieve

verb

grieved; grieving

transitive verb

1
: to cause to suffer : distress
it grieves me to see him this way
2
: to feel or show grief over
grieving the death of her son
3
: to submit a formal grievance concerning
grieve a dismissal

intransitive verb

: to feel grief : sorrow
still grieving over their mother's death

Examples of grieve in a Sentence

It grieves me to see my brother struggling like this. Her decision to live overseas grieved her mother. People need time to grieve after the death of a family member. The children are still grieving the death of their mother.
Recent Examples on the Web Parents want accountability from school Following the verdict, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald stressed that the parents of the victims are still grieving and demanding change. Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 This too is a phase that those who grieve may visit or revisit more than once. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024 Kerr’s research finds that such moments, which transcend the often-painful physical decline in the last days of life, help parents like the O’Neils and other relatives grieve even unfathomable loss. Phoebe Zerwick, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Her performance as the grieving mother in the movie was that good. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2024 She’s been collecting awards everywhere for her role as a grieving mother in the film — a Golden Globe, a SAG, a Critics Choice and, three days after our chat, a BAFTA. Helena Andrews-Dyer, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The dance is in two parts, each set to music by Mahler: the Funeral March from the First Symphony, followed by the Adagietto from the Fifth—death followed by grieving. Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Independence Mayor Rory Rowland said the city is grieving the loss of two public servants. Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024 In scenes that find the Höss family in repose on the banks of the Sola, sound creates a canopy of futile escapism — the woodpeckers echoing the machine guns, the turtledoves grieving in the trees, the unceasing wails of Hedwig’s baby Annagret. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grieve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English greven, from Anglo-French grever, from Latin gravare to burden, from gravis heavy, grave; akin to Greek barys heavy, Sanskrit guru

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grieve was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near grieve

Cite this Entry

“Grieve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grieve. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grieve

verb
grieved; grieving
1
: to cause grief or suffering to : distress
2
: to feel or express grief
3
: to submit a formal grievance concerning
griever noun
Etymology

Middle English greven "to distress, grieve," from early French grever (same meaning), from Latin gravare "to burden," from gravis "heavy, serious" — related to aggravate, grave entry 3, gravity

Medical Definition

grieve

verb
grieved; grieving

transitive verb

: to feel or show grief over
grieving the death of her son

intransitive verb

: to feel grief
Each member of a family is likely to grieve differently, creating great potential for conflict.Eric Schlosser, The Atlantic Monthly
griever noun
Antidepressants do not ease the longing for the deceased that grievers feel. Virginia Hughes, Scientific American

Legal Definition

grieve

verb
grieved; grieving

transitive verb

: to submit (a grievance) to a grievance procedure
wage claims…had been contractually grievedM. A. Kelly

intransitive verb

: to bring a grievance under a grievance procedure
as a union member, Jackson was obligated to grieve — not sueJackson v. Liquid Carbonic Corp., 863 F.2d 111 (1988)

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