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 SiR’s music, which is gospel and soul-influenced, is riddled with themes of love, yearning, and heartbreak. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2024 But the ride in Goodyear ended unlike any other, in horror and heartbreak. The Arizona Republic, 16 Mar. 2024 The Illenium oeuvre, developed over his five studio albums, is cinematic, anthemic, often heavy and typically lyrically personal music that mulls deeper themes — love, heartbreak, rage — than standard dance refrains about putting your f–king hands up. Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Martin-Green and Morales are particularly compelling, conjuring the easy humor of new friendship and the more challenging drama of heartbreak. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 More Style stories on music HAND CURATED How reggaeton became the sound of global pop February 1, 2024 Instead of steeping in heartbreak, Ariana Grande hits delete 1 hour ago Kim Gordon is a rapper now Earlier today Chris Richards has been The Washington Post's pop music critic since 2009. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 The situation was not one of heartbreak…at least not the romantic kind. Annie Blay, Allure, 6 Mar. 2024 Oklahoma City mourns Nex Benedict Hundreds of people gathered in Oklahoma City on Saturday to pay tribute to Nex Benedict, a teenager whose death following a fight inside a high school bathroom sparked widespread heartbreak and outrage across the nation. USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 But that doesn’t mean the heartbreaks she’s experienced in the past don’t still sting. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 6 Mar. 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 29 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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