heartache

noun

ˈhärt-ˌāk How to pronounce heartache (audio)
Definition of heartachenext
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved the heartache she felt when she saw the innocent victims of the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heartache Since then, it's been decades of heartache offset by pockets of championship glory, with some of the most pivotal figures in American sports history. — Ryan Baker, CBS News, 22 June 2026 Leonhard-Hooper’s script is ovaries-to-the-wall zany, but there’s disturbance and heartache in it, too. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 June 2026 But there is still constant heartache. — Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026 The documentary, which lands in theaters this weekend, creates a time capsule of videos, memories and eloquent observations that add up to work of incredible beauty and heartache. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartache
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartache
  1. sorrow
  2. grief
  3. anguish
  4. heartbreak
Noun
  • The only other person in the 21st century who might’ve had as uncanny an ability to look beneath the sordidness and sorrow of red carpets and walks of fame to find truth and even poetry might be David Lynch.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 July 2026
  • Commenters flooded Aquino’s social media accounts with support, expressing their sorrow at the news of her death.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • The scene plays out beautifully the joy yet grief that Emmett is dealing with as an only child who has recently lost the person who was always there.
    — Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026
  • Fifteen years after the Grammy-winning singer’s death, her mother Janis Winehouse opened up about dealing with grief and her daughter’s reluctance toward success in a new interview with The i magazine.
    — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
Definition of grief
Noun
  • But Nolan puts the anguish of the war at the center of his movie.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • Yet, outside the excellently claustrophobic Trojan Horse scenes, Nolan is more interested in exploring his anguish than his spoils.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • Lara is a sweet and relatable protagonist, and her firm dedication to picking herself up and trying to pave her own life after heartbreak is a strong hook to propel the rest of the story forward.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026
  • But the artists are able to share that heartbreak with their collaborators.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of heartbreak

Browse Nearby Words

heart
heartache
heartbeat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heartache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartache. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on heartache

Nglish: Translation of heartache for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of inveigle

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All