A collection of words for grief, sorrow, and melancholy — from everyday vocabulary to rare and beautiful gems.
Showing 24 of 140 words
mono no aware
phrase
The bittersweet awareness of impermanence; the gentle sadness of passing things.
weltschmerz
noun
A deep sadness about the inadequacy of the world; world-weariness.
farewell
The act of departing politely; "he disliked long farewells"; "he took his leave"; "parting is such sweet sorrow"
leave
leave-taking
parting
lamentation
The passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief
mourning
aspect
The feelings expressed on a person's face; "a sad expression"; "a look of triumph"; "an angry face"
facial expression
stiff upper lip
Self-restraint in the expression of emotion (especially fear or grief); "the British like to keep a stiff upper lip"
pathos
A quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow); "the film captured all the pathos of their situation"
poignancy
grief
Something that causes great unhappiness; "her death was a great grief to John"
sorrow
condolence
An expression of sympathy with another's grief; "they sent their condolences"
commiseration
crocodile tears
A hypocritical display of sorrow; false or insincere weeping; "the secretaries wept crocodile tears over the manager's dilemma"; "politicians shed crocodile tears over the plight of the unemployed"
fado
A sad Portuguese folksong
plaint
A cry of sorrow and grief; "their pitiful laments could be heard throughout the ward"
wail
sackcloth and ashes
A display of extreme remorse or repentance or grief
dolefulness
Sadness caused by grief or affliction
misery
A feeling of intense unhappiness; "she was exhausted by her misery and grief"
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