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

Soon, Fischnaller set her sights on the 2022 Games, determined to not let her last Olympic memory be one of heartbreak. —Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026

Their parents, grandparents even, unwittingly passed on a childhood of playoff heartbreak. —Sam McDowell 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2026

And in that choice, there is politics – even when the song seems to speak only of love, partying, or heartbreak. —Rocio Munoz, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

The band also shared the statement on X, and many fans shared their heartbreak in the comment sections. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 7 Feb. 2026

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