heartbreak

noun

heart·​break ˈhärt-ˌbrāk How to pronounce heartbreak (audio)
: crushing grief, anguish, or distress

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 that doesn’t mean the heartbreaks she’s experienced in the past don’t still sting. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2024 Understanding heartbreak Someone in the midst of a painful breakup is experiencing a number of losses all at once. Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Jaden Bradley scored 21 points, Oumar Ballo dominated inside and Arizona overpowered Arizona State 105-60 on Saturday night a year after suffering heartbreak at home against the Sun Devils. John Marshall, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2024 Usher and his family know about true, unthinkable heartbreak. Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 15 Feb. 2024 Overcoming guilt and heartbreak is challenging, especially knowing his pain. Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024 Especially in the sacred space that is the movie theater, where, as we’ve been told so often, heartbreak can, in fact, feel good. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2024 The song — co-written and co-produced by Timberlake, Louis Bell, Cirkut, Kenyon Dixon, and Amy Allen — delivers another heartbreak anthem from the artist. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 Her ability to create complex characters and tell the story with a varied perspective is masterful, giving Andy (and us as readers) the closure that’s needed from this heartbreak. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heartbreak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near heartbreak

Cite this Entry

“Heartbreak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbreak. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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