heartbreak

noun

heart·​break ˈhärt-ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

Synonyms

• 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

And the heartbreak was never just about the departures. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 July 2025

Peggy’s been through not only the heartbreak of Mr. Fortune but real, real loss. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 7 July 2025

Now, speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Theron talked about seeing the prequel and the heartbreak of being replaced. —Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

No matter what changes in generations, no matter the specific difficulties that young people must contend with in the face of technology, war, politics, environmental devastation: nothing will change the heartbreak and fraught intimacy of female friendship in its ups and downs. —Literary Hub july 1, Literary Hub, 1 July 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