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
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
Even a solitary bamboo shutter drawn between friends may cause heartache.
—
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartache
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
Even a solitary bamboo shutter drawn between friends may cause heartache.
—
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartache
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartache
Noun
-
Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
-
Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
Noun
-
After learning that her friend Shannon’s mother has died in a car accident, Elle is suddenly facing her first real encounter with grief and, unable to sit with it, throws herself into planning the memorial, down to selecting the music.
-
This town has known seasons of many stripes, from that autumn of grief after 9/11 to that spring of solitude and trepidation as COVID-19 first emerged.
Noun
-
Their mother cried out in anguish.
-
Meanwhile, hundreds remained missing, leading to a wave of anguish among relatives and friends.
Noun
-
It’s been a long time coming Swift’s music has served as the soundtrack to a generation of adolescent heartbreaks and coming of age crises.
-
Over the course of 12 original studio albums, the 14-time Grammy winner has chronicled heartbreaks and happily-ever-afters that have made her one of the most celebrated songwriters of her generation.
Cite this Entry
“Heartache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartache. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
