grief-stricken

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "grief-stricken" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to someone who has experienced a great sadness or distress, usually from the loss of a loved one. For example, "After hearing the news of his father's death, the son was grief-stricken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Turner was grief-stricken.

The New Yorker

Her grandmother was grief-stricken.

The New Yorker

I was grief-stricken.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Grief-stricken, in fact.

The Guardian - Books

Grief-stricken women stumble hither and thither.

The Economist

Is she being coy or grief-stricken?

The New Yorker

Not everyone is grief-stricken.

The Guardian

He stumbled on, grief-stricken.

The New York Times - Magazine

Although grief-stricken, Kick stayed in England.

The New York Times - Books

"They're grief-stricken and need healing, too".

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Brede was excessively grief stricken.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grief-stricken" to describe someone experiencing intense sorrow, especially due to loss. It's a strong adjective that vividly conveys deep sadness.

Common error

Avoid using "grief-stricken" for minor disappointments. This term should be reserved for situations involving significant loss or tragedy to accurately reflect the depth of emotion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "grief-stricken" is as an adjective. It modifies a noun, describing someone or something as deeply affected by grief. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to depict a profound emotional state resulting from loss.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "grief-stricken" is a powerful adjective used to describe someone experiencing profound sorrow, typically as a result of loss. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media. When writing, reserve this term for situations where the intensity of sadness is significant to avoid overstatement. Alternatives like "sad" or "unhappy" may be more appropriate for less severe situations. Common authoritative sources that frequently employ this term include The New York Times, The Guardian and The New Yorker.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bereaved

Emphasizes the state of having lost someone or something important.

grieving

Indicates an active state of experiencing grief.

heartbroken

Focuses on the emotional pain and sorrow experienced.

devastated

Highlights the overwhelming and destructive nature of the sadness.

in deep sorrow

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey intense sadness.

inconsolable

Implies that the person's grief is so deep that they cannot be comforted.

overwhelmed with grief

Emphasizes the feeling of being consumed by sadness.

mourning

Refers to the process of grieving and expressing sorrow.

sorrowful

Describes a state of deep sadness and regret.

crushed

Expresses a feeling of being emotionally broken or destroyed by grief.

FAQs

How can I use "grief-stricken" in a sentence?

You can use "grief-stricken" to describe someone experiencing intense sorrow. For example, "The family was "grief-stricken" after the sudden loss of their loved one".

What's a more formal synonym for "grief-stricken"?

While "grief-stricken" is suitable for many contexts, a more formal synonym could be "bereaved", particularly when discussing loss in a formal or official setting.

Is it appropriate to use "grief-stricken" to describe mild sadness?

No, "grief-stricken" describes a profound level of sorrow. It's best to use it when referring to significant loss or tragedy, rather than for minor disappointments. Alternatives like "sad" or "disappointed" are more suitable for less intense emotions.

What are some less intense alternatives to "grief-stricken"?

For describing milder forms of sadness, consider using words like "sad", "unhappy", "disappointed", or "sorrowful". These words convey sadness without implying the overwhelming intensity associated with "grief-stricken".