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

But similarly damaging and strong tornadoes have touched down in the past decade, including one on Dec. 10, 2021, when a horrific EF4 tornado tore across western Kentucky, killing scores of people and leaving behind unimaginable heartbreak and damage. —Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025

Meanwhile, seven major champions, including Lowry, Clark, McIlroy, Day and Bradley, will vie for one of the golf’s biggest prizes and a $4 million winner’s purse during a weekend rarely lacking in a drama and heartbreak at Bay Hill. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025

Even in the midst of heartbreak, her dad managed to bring humor into the situation. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025

Pop-music history is filled to the brim with breakups — endless tales of heartbreak, vengeance, and despair. —Ryan Leas, Vulture, 6 Mar. 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