as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
I understand the heartbreak you must feel over your grandmother's death
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 heartbreak
In a short clip, the seemingly jealous tabby cat was sitting in the doorway and staring at her owner with what many are calling an expression of heartbreak.
—
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Yet, underneath the grand gestures, there’s an emotional core: a promise to heal the wounds of past heartbreak and ensure his partner never feels unappreciated again.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
The all-too-real heartbreak of forgetting is explored metaphorically in this Michel Gondry–directed, Charlie Kaufman–penned movie about an estranged couple who opt to erase one another from their memories (but at what cost?).
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for heartbreak
Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Yet, underneath the grand gestures, there’s an emotional core: a promise to heal the wounds of past heartbreak and ensure his partner never feels unappreciated again.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
The all-too-real heartbreak of forgetting is explored metaphorically in this Michel Gondry–directed, Charlie Kaufman–penned movie about an estranged couple who opt to erase one another from their memories (but at what cost?).
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for heartbreak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreak
Noun
-
In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones'.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
-
McIlroy expressed his sorrow and predicted that the 15-time major champion will be unable to play for the rest of the season.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Fox Valley Hands of Hope has provided grief support to adults, children and families in the area since 1981, with no charge for services, the release noted.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Death Takes Me, instead, suggests that personal grief and political anger can find expression, too, through ambiguity and irony—and even laughter.—
Nicolás Medina Mora,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The first Trump Administration didn’t deliver many material gains to the rural poor—deaths of despair continued to rise, and wages continued to stagnate—but at least Trump spoke to their anguish and seemed outraged on their behalf.—
Andrew Marantz,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Garcia’s damages included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress, according to a recording of the verdict from Courtroom View Network.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreak. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share