heartbreak
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for heartbreak, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Intense sadness or grief, especially after losing someone or something you loved deeply.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use heartbreak
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
A compound of "heart" and "break," picturing grief as literally shattering the heart — a very old and universal metaphor across languages.
Full origin of heartbreak →Frequently asked questions
What does “heartbreak” mean?
The word “heartbreak” means intense sadness or grief, especially after losing someone or something you loved deeply. In plain terms, crushing emotional pain, most often linked to lost love.
How do you pronounce “heartbreak”?
“Heartbreak” is pronounced HAHT-brayk (/ˈhɑɹt.bɹeɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “heartbreak” in a sentence?
Here is “heartbreak” used in a sentence: “He never fully recovered from the heartbreak of his first divorce.”
What part of speech is “heartbreak”?
“Heartbreak” is a noun.
Is “heartbreak” a common word?
“Heartbreak” is an uncommon word in modern English.