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

This divorce story is not about sadness, disappointment, personal limitations, or heartbreak. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026

And because these actors are all so strong and the direction is so affirmative, the comedy and heartbreak in the writing pop off the stage right into your lap. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2026

The way Layla processed that information and lived in the heartbreak was so beautifully nuanced by Greta Onieogou and perfectly captured by the director of that episode, David McWhirter. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026

From puberty and first heartbreak to career pivots and, for some, motherhood, women are thrown into an endless evolution of identity that comes with simply being alive. — Partner Content, Variety, 23 Sep. 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