heartbreak

noun

heart·​break ˈhärt-ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

has had more than her share of heartbreak

Synonyms of heartbreak

• sorrow
• grief
• anguish

Examples of heartbreak in a Sentence

He recently suffered a string of romantic heartbreaks.

I understand the heartbreak you must feel over your grandmother's death.

Recent Examples on the Web

Combs also pointed out that some cultural norms position these foods as key parts of emotional processing and stress relief for women, like eating junk food to get over heartbreak. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 11 Nov. 2025

Instagram users were quick to express their disbelief and heartbreak. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

Meanwhile, Vincent Mason takes a chance on mixing alcohol and heartbreak, while The Jack Wharff Band and Dylan Conrique also bring new music. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Nov. 2025

The horror and heartbreak of seeing a comrade fall. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heartbreak

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• eastlake
• forsake
• handshake
• headache

Kids Definition

heartbreak

noun

heart·​break -ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

heartbreaking

-ˌbrā-kiŋ

adjective

heartbreakingly adverb

heartbroken

-ˌbrō-kən

adjective