What is the emotional state characterized by sadness and sorrow, often after a loss?

The emotional state characterized by sadness and sorrow after a loss is accurately identified as grief. Grief is a complex emotional response that encompasses feelings of deep distress, sorrow, and mourning, typically triggered by significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or other major life changes. It is a natural human reaction that can manifest in various ways, including crying, feelings of emptiness, and a yearning for what has been lost.

While other options relate to emotional states, they do not specifically capture the nuances of grief. Regret refers to a sense of disappointment or remorse about past actions, which does not inherently include the sorrow linked to loss. Anxiety involves feelings of worry or fear regarding future events, and though it can coincide with grief, it is not characterized by the sadness associated with loss. Melancholy suggests a prolonged sadness but does not specifically denote the deep emotional pain that accompanies grief and is often more reflective in nature. Therefore, grief stands out as the comprehensive term that fully encompasses the emotional distress following a loss.