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

Amid the heartbreak and some frustration, Carroll head coach Riley Dodge congratulated DeSoto, and the Dragons took the loss on the chin, owning up to their mistakes. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Dec. 2025

And then there was me—lying in bed, doom-scrolling strangers’ heartbreak. —Eileen Kelly, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025

But there’s something to be said for processing heartbreak by spilling secrets or otherwise setting things ablaze. —Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025

Now, the family is sharing their heartbreak after a father had to watch his deceased son be carried away. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 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