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

The fatigue of such heavy heartbreak is felt in Peter and runs as an undertone through Club Kid, a film rooted in both loss and redemption. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2026

Currently shooting in Massachusetts, the film centers on a woman determined to discover love in a near-future world where heartbreak has become lethal, whose search for intimacy becomes increasingly entangled with obsession and control. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026

Related Stories Olivia Rodrigo has become one of music’s most iconic voices, and turns heartbreak and growing pains into generational anthems. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026

Through lush orchestral arrangements, Estrada sang about finding joy after heartbreak and loss — and made her fans feel a little less alone during bleak times. — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 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