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

The glacial beats and the near-silent raps full of heartbreak and drugs are best absorbed through headphones. — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 17 July 2026

And all of the interstitial moments between the big victories or the big heartbreaks, those are your life. — Clarissa Cruz, Entertainment Weekly, 16 July 2026

An Instagram post to the royal account said the same in its caption, adding a soccer ball emoji in reference to the World Cup heartbreak. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Friendship heartbreak is one thing, romantic heartbreak another. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heartbreak

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

Kids Definition

heartbreak

noun

heart·​break -ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

heartbreaking

-ˌbrā-kiŋ

adjective

heartbreakingly adverb

heartbroken

-ˌbrō-kən

adjective