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

But then, with a double play by the Dodgers to end the inning — and Toronto’s season with a 5-4 Game 7 loss — the night ended in heartbreak. —Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025

Home is sometimes where the heartbreak is. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025

On her second studio album, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter GALE delivers a sharp, shimmering pop across 13 tracks that explore heartbreak, new beginnings, and the nostalgia of first times. —Luisa Calle, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025

Henderson’s style calls to mind Chappell Roan’s raw emotionality or Olivia Rodrigo’s guitar-rich pop-rock bangers, all the while anchored to rich storytelling of love and heartbreak and frustration. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heartbreak

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

Kids Definition

heartbreak

noun

heart·​break -ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

heartbreaking

-ˌbrā-kiŋ

adjective

heartbreakingly adverb

heartbroken

-ˌbrō-kən

adjective