heartache

noun

heart·​ache ˈhärt-ˌāk How to pronounce heartache (audio)
Synonyms of heartachenext
: anguish of mind : sorrow

Examples of heartache in a Sentence

I've had more than my share of heartaches in my life. the heartache she felt when she saw the innocent victims of the war
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That is a massive loss in our industry and it’s caused a lot of heartache to a lot of working actors who rely on auditions to get jobs. Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026 The narrative arc runs the gamut of human emotions from heartache and loss to resilience and courage, and finally to happiness and hope again. Peter Larsen, Daily News, 13 May 2026 But what our data indicates could mean the difference between a goal or a miss for strikers, a save or a blunder for goalkeepers, and jubilation or heartache for fans. John Eric Goff, The Conversation, 13 May 2026 But all that faded away in the mists of heartache. Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartache

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartache was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heartache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartache. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

heartache

noun
heart·​ache ˈhärt-ˌāk How to pronounce heartache (audio)

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