Grief vs. Sorrow — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 29, 2023
Grief is an intense emotional response to loss, while sorrow is a feeling of deep distress or sadness.
Difference Between Grief and Sorrow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Grief is a profound emotional and sometimes physical reaction that often follows the loss of someone or something deeply valued. Sorrow, on the other hand, is a broader sentiment of sadness or distress that can arise from various situations, not just loss.
While both grief and sorrow denote pain and distress, grief typically encompasses stages, ranging from denial to acceptance, suggesting a process over time. Sorrow doesn't necessarily follow a structured path but is a deep feeling of sadness that can linger or be fleeting.
Grief often invokes more severe reactions, such as anger, depression, or shock, largely because it's tied to significant losses like death. Sorrow, while still deep, can emerge from disappointments, empathy, or witnessing another's pain.
Another distinction is the duration and intensity. Grief, especially in the context of bereavement, can last for an extended period and might require therapeutic interventions. Sorrow, although it can be profound, is generally more transient and can dissipate with time or changes in circumstance.
In essence, while grief and sorrow both relate to feelings of sadness and distress, grief is often more intense and rooted in loss, whereas sorrow can arise from a variety of circumstances.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An emotional response to loss.
A feeling of deep sadness or distress.
Duration
Can be prolonged.
Generally more transient.
Intensity
Typically more intense.
Can vary in depth.
Common Causes
Death, significant loss.
Disappointments, empathy, minor losses.
Structured Stages
Often has stages (e.g., denial, anger, acceptance).
Doesn't necessarily follow structured stages.
Compare with Definitions
Grief
Often involves stages of coping.
The initial denial is a common stage of grief.
Sorrow
Sorrow is a deep feeling of sadness.
She felt sorrow when she saw the homeless dog.
Grief
May require therapeutic intervention.
Therapy helped her navigate her grief.
Sorrow
Can arise from empathy.
His sorrow for the suffering of others led him to volunteer.
Grief
It's a reaction to significant personal losses.
The grief of losing a family member can be overwhelming.
Sorrow
It's more general than grief.
The movie's ending filled him with sorrow.
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
Can be transient or lingering.
His sorrow over the argument faded by the next day.
Grief
Intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death
She was overcome with grief
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
Grief is an emotional process following loss.
Her grief after losing her pet was palpable.
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
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.
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
Sorrow
Doesn't necessarily denote loss.
She felt sorrow for her friend's struggles.
Grief
Can lead to physical symptoms.
His grief was so intense that he lost his appetite.
Common Curiosities
Can sorrow result from minor disappointments?
Yes, sorrow can arise from minor disappointments or any situation causing sadness.
What causes grief?
Grief is commonly caused by significant personal losses, especially the death of a loved one.
Can both grief and sorrow be felt simultaneously?
Absolutely, one can feel the profound loss of grief and the sadness of sorrow concurrently.
Does grief always require therapy?
Not always, but therapy can be beneficial for those struggling to cope with grief.
Can sorrow be felt for strangers?
Yes, sorrow can arise from empathy or witnessing the suffering of others, even strangers.
Is grief only tied to death?
While often associated with death, grief can also follow other significant losses, like the end of a relationship.
Can events like breakups cause sorrow?
Yes, breakups, disappointments, or any distressing event can lead to feelings of sorrow.
How can one cope with grief?
Coping with grief can involve therapy, support groups, self-care, and allowing time to heal.
Are there physical symptoms associated with grief?
Yes, grief can lead to physical symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite, or sleep disturbances.
How long does sorrow last?
The duration of sorrow varies and can be transient or linger, depending on the individual and circumstance.
Can animals feel sorrow?
While it's challenging to determine emotions in animals, many animals display behaviors consistent with feelings of sadness or distress.
Is sorrow a natural human emotion?
Yes, sorrow is a natural human emotion experienced at various points in life.
Can grief resurface after years?
Yes, memories or anniversaries can trigger feelings of grief even years after the initial loss.
Is sorrow always negative?
While sorrow is tied to sadness, it can lead to personal growth, empathy, and deeper emotional understanding.
Can grief affect one's daily functioning?
Yes, intense grief can impact daily activities, concentration, and overall well-being.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
