heartbreak

noun

heart·​break ˈhärt-ˌbrāk How to pronounce heartbreak (audio)
Synonyms of heartbreaknext
: crushing grief, anguish, or distress
has had more than her share of heartbreak

Synonyms of heartbreak

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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
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.
Lara is a sweet and relatable protagonist, and her firm dedication to picking herself up and trying to pave her own life after heartbreak is a strong hook to propel the rest of the story forward. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026 But the artists are able to share that heartbreak with their collaborators. — ABC News, 24 July 2026 The story looks at the passion and heartbreak of creative collaboration, and unfolds against the rising video game industry of the 1990s-2000s. — Brent Lang, Variety, 24 July 2026 While Russell faced the heartbreak of another blow to his title fight, Kimi Antonelli further extended the points gap to 50 between the teammates as the Italian driver won his sixth race of the season. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartbreak

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartbreak was in the 14th century

Rhymes for heartbreak

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Browse Nearby Words

heart bond
heartbreak
heartbreaker
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Cite this Entry

“Heartbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbreak. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

heartbreak

noun
heart·​break -ˌbrāk How to pronounce heartbreak (audio)
: crushing grief, anguish, or distress
heartbreaking
-ˌbrā-kiŋ
adjective
heartbreakingly adverb
heartbroken
-ˌbrō-kən
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on heartbreak

Nglish: Translation of heartbreak for Spanish Speakers

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