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

Snedeker sobbed like a baby during a brief meeting with the media following his heartbreak at Augusta in '08. —Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026

Short explained the life perspective that enables him to find joy amid all the heartbreak. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026

Being reminded of such eras wasn’t all fun and games for Stefani, whose heartbreak has largely powered No Doubt’s musical legacy. —Leena Tailor, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2026

Even amid the heartbreak, Roise says she's learned to see grief itself as a reflection of love. —Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 8 May 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