HEARTACHES Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

heartache

noun

ˈhärt-ˌāk

Definition of heartache

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 The music of the 1990s was a golden age of raucous, irreverent sound, and it was filled with heartache and tragedy. — Gene Park, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2026 The case was unsolved for decades Blandford and Bennett recount the heartache their family went through after their sister’s death. — Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026 He's considered one of the most influential rappers of all time with songs that speak to the human experience of love, heartache and familial relationships. — CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Dimitrov, 35, is surging through the field one year after heartache on Centre Court, while Fery, the British 23-year-old, has grabbed the opportunity afforded to him by the tournament with both hands. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartache

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartache

Noun

Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said on her personal Facebook page that the incident left her filled with sorrow.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026
Like many songwriters who’ve ever poured their romantic sorrows out in their music, the challenge in this new era was getting acquainted with writing from a place of happiness instead, which can be a source of anxiety itself.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

The local journalists who cover the Bend community every day were not immune from the grief and sadness after today’s deadly shooting of children at an elementary school.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Hundreds of mourners later gathered at Rehman Baba cemetery for mass funeral prayers as grief gripped the neighborhood and announcements echoed from mosque loudspeakers, urging residents to join in prayers for those killed.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of grief

Noun

Set to a downtempo bachata, the track features Lorén’s penetrating vocals filled with anguish at the impossible cycle of working endlessly to make ends meet.

— Vanessa Diaz, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2026
Abrams does yeoman’s work with a character stuck in a tight spot for most of the running time, constantly grunting and gasping with a mixture of anguish and exhaustion as his body gets progressively more beat up and broken.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

The Dodgers’ clubhouse was closed for more than 35 minutes after the game, partly to process that heartbreak but also to give manager Dave Roberts and veteran infielder Miguel Rojas, who announced his retirement, a chance to address the team.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Did that heartbreak ultimately lead you to say no to Lanterns?

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of heartbreak

Browse Nearby Words

heart

heartache

heartbeat

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heartache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartache. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of heartache

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

fervid

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes