heartbreak

noun

heart·​break ˈhärt-ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

Synonyms

• affliction
• anguish
• dolefulness
• dolor
• grief
• heartache
• sorriness
• sorrow
• woe

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

Star guards Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd shot a combined 8-for-25 for 24 points in UConn’s 80-76 loss to the Lady Vols, but the pair have put together some of their best performances of the season in the aftermath of that heartbreak. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2025

The 29-year-old man initially hesitated to get a dog due to the heartbreak of losing his previous pet. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Janis overcomes significant obstacles – embezzlement, record industry misogyny, homophobia, and heartbreak – to find love and produce an indelible body of searingly honest songs that earned her a devoted following and critical acclaim. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025

On This Week’s Episode: Stories from the heart of heartbreak. —New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

heartbreak

noun

heart·​break -ˌbrāk 

: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

heartbreaking

-ˌbrā-kiŋ

adjective

heartbreakingly adverb

heartbroken

-ˌbrō-kən

adjective