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

In her heartbreak, Twain turned to Thiébaud for support—who was also grieving. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 July 2026

No geopolitical analysis can justify a community’s heartbreak. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Pat Houston, Whitney Houston’s sister-in-law, former manager, and now the executor of her estate, confirmed to Vanity Fair that the lack of a Cinderella album was a great heartbreak of Houston’s career. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026

During the interview, Portman opened up about her keen awareness of the challenges and heartbreak of fertility journeys. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 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