heartbreak

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "heartbreak" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of intense sadness or grief caused by a failed relationship, tragic loss, or a devastating disappointment. Example sentence: "Although she tried to stay positive, she couldn't help but feel a deep heartbreak when he said he wanted to end their relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Music

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More often than not there will be a tale of woe to be told, with plenty of visits to the hotel named Heartbreak.

The Guardian - Sport

Against San Jose the heartbreak of that stoppage time equalizer was a bummer, but a larger concern were the injury issues and concerns that came out of that match.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a long, miserable summer, but the early fall promises to be full of excitement (and hopefully not heartbreak).

The Guardian - Sport

Swindon may have been the superior team in the first leg at Priestfield, Gillingham keeper Phil Kite keeping his side in the match, yet a late David Smith free-kick proved decisive, and when Karl Elsey scored a screamer after 15 minutes of the second leg, Swindon would again need to come from two goals back to avoid heartbreak.

The Guardian - Sport

Kudos to Hawley and his foul mouth: his soundtrack perfectly married the archive clips as we were led seamlessly through seduction, apprehension, jealousy, innocence, frustration, sex, rejection, comfort, elation and heartbreak.

The Guardian

Manassero insists there would be no heartbreak attached to missing out on joining the European team at Gleneagles in September.

The Guardian - Sport

Sandberg believes that we might, one day, be able to manufacture an "anti-love" drug for heartbreak, "whatever heartbreak actually is.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the handsome 19th-century manor house at the centre of the estate, surrounded by sacks of drying red peppers, Acs has no doubt about who to blame for her heartbreak: the all-powerful conservative government in Budapest under Viktor Orbán, the prime minister.

The Guardian

Despite the heartbreak involved, the law treats the theft of a dog the same as the theft of any other possession.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Had they conceded again, it would have been a defeat to rival the heartbreak against Chelsea or even the final in 1999, when Manchester United reduced them to wrecks, but the almighty flutter passed.

The Guardian - Sport

Fred and Bev's wedding drew 11 million viewers and a 51% share at 7.30pm with 10.7 million and a 44% share returning at 8.30pm to share Audrey's heartbreak.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heartbreak" to convey intense emotional pain or grief, particularly in the context of lost love, disappointment, or significant loss. Ensure the context aligns with the severity of the term.

Common error

Avoid using "heartbreak" to describe trivial disappointments or setbacks. Reserve it for situations involving profound emotional distress to maintain its impact and avoid trivializing genuine suffering.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "heartbreak" is as a noun, denoting a state of intense emotional suffering or grief. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used and understood in this context. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing personal experiences of loss and disappointment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Music

10%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heartbreak" is a commonly used noun that describes profound emotional pain or grief, most often associated with loss or disappointment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations that genuinely warrant such a strong term. Related phrases like "deep sorrow" or "crushing disappointment" can offer more nuanced expressions. Primarily found in News & Media and encyclopedic contexts, "heartbreak" serves to convey intense emotional experiences with clarity and impact. Examples from Ludwig highlight its use in describing personal experiences of loss and disappointment, across diverse authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heartache

A more general term for emotional pain or distress, closely related to heartbreak.

brokenheartedness

Directly describes the state of having a broken heart.

deep sorrow

Focuses on the profound sadness associated with heartbreak.

profound grief

Suggests a deep and overwhelming sense of loss.

anguish

Highlights the severe mental or physical suffering caused by heartbreak.

emotional anguish

Highlights the intense mental and emotional suffering involved.

crushing disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of being let down and disillusioned.

agonizing loss

Emphasizes the painful and distressing nature of the loss.

despair

Implies a complete loss of hope and a sense of overwhelming sadness.

bitter regret

Focuses on the feeling of remorse and sadness over past events.

FAQs

How to use "heartbreak" in a sentence?

"Heartbreak" is typically used as a noun to describe overwhelming mental anguish or grief. For example: "She experienced intense heartbreak after the relationship ended."

What can I say instead of "heartbreak"?

You can use alternatives like "deep sorrow", "crushing disappointment", or "emotional anguish" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have a heartbreak"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and natural to say "I am experiencing heartbreak" or "I feel heartbreak" to describe the emotional state.

What's the difference between "heartbreak" and "heartache"?

"Heartbreak" implies a more profound and devastating emotional pain, often associated with the end of a significant relationship or a major loss, while "heartache" can refer to a more general feeling of sadness or emotional distress.