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.
Especially during this last year of pain & heartache. Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 21 Apr. 2026 Where joy and heartache can both be true, all of the time. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Apr. 2026 There are no right words to say to capture the magnitude of heartache around this tragedy. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026 On Wednesday, the singer-songwriter revealed the video for the hometown heartache track, which stars Langley alongside Luke Grimes and Ava Phillippe with special appearances from Miranda Lambert and Kaitlin Butts. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

heartache

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

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