heartache

noun

heart·​ache ˈhärt-ˌāk How to pronounce heartache (audio)
: anguish of mind : sorrow

Examples of heartache in a Sentence

I've had more than my share of heartaches in my life. the heartache she felt when she saw the innocent victims of the war
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But his decision to lean into the heartache and share a moment of friendship and vulnerability online is what has earned him widespread praise among viewers. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 But inevitably, the glowing images of my 20-year history in New York (and Paris before that), and my heartache for city life, began to fade. Marcia Desanctis, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2025 Guzman fell in love with the way Williams captures the beauty of everyday life, weaving humor, heartache and joy into a story that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. American Booksellers Association, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 Watching the actors sign language through glee, heartache, torment and even betrayal makes for some stunning scene work. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heartache

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartache was in 1578

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heartache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartache. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

heartache

noun
heart·​ache ˈhärt-ˌāk How to pronounce heartache (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on heartache

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