heartbroken

USAGE SUMMARY

"heartbroken" is a commonly used word in written English.
It is used to refer to a feeling of extreme sadness due to the loss of a loved one or something that had great personal value. For example, "John was heartbroken when his beloved pet died."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I am heartbroken.

The New York Times

As a family we are heartbroken and I don't know how we will ever get over losing Jasmyn.

The Guardian

"I know Dan was heartbroken having to leave Emily at just a few weeks old for the first time to return to work, so it would be great if he could share the first year's care," Polly says.

The Guardian - Money

She said: "I am heartbroken and lost without my Breck and I will never be the same.

The Guardian

One such activist, Janet Folger Porter, said Saturday that she was heartbroken by Willke's death.

The Guardian

He was heartbroken when his daddy died during the campaign".

The Guardian

When they were destroyed in the Munich air crash he carried on, heartbroken, with the task of restoring the team because he felt that there was no one else as completely equipped to do the job.

The Guardian - Sport

PK (the title is a play on the Hindi word for being drunk) also has an elaborate side story that has further upset Hindu nationalists – the heroine falls in love with a Pakistani, is heartbroken when she thinks he has ditched her, but is eventually reunited with her Muslim boyfriend by the film's lead.

The Guardian - Film

I felt Josh's dad was trying hard to say the right thing but had been heartbroken by the revelation of his son's sexuality and career.

The Guardian

Despite being almost a decade past prime gymnast age, and beset by serious injuries, she had kept training and competing because a fourth place at Beijing had left her heartbroken.

The Guardian - Sport

Lorin LaFave, 47, said she was "heartbroken and lost" without her son, Breck Bednar, who was murdered after travelling 30 miles from home to visit a teenage gamer who he played with over the internet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heartbroken" to vividly describe a state of profound sadness, especially after a significant loss or disappointment. It is stronger than simply saying someone is "sad" or "unhappy".

Common error

Avoid using "heartbroken" for minor disappointments. Reserve it for truly significant emotional pain to maintain its impact. For less intense sadness, consider words like "disappointed" or "bummed out".

Linguistic Context

Heartbroken primarily functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of intense sorrow or grief, especially after a significant emotional loss. As noted by Ludwig, the word is used to convey extreme sadness due to loss.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heartbroken" is a commonly used adjective to describe a state of profound sadness, especially after a significant emotional loss. According to Ludwig, it's widely employed across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and personal narratives, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal use. While effective for expressing intense sorrow, it should be reserved for genuinely significant emotional pain to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "devastated" or "grief-stricken" to fine-tune the emotional tone. Ludwig's examples underscore its powerful role in conveying deep emotional wounds.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devastated

This alternative emphasizes the overwhelming and destructive nature of the emotional pain.

crushed

This alternative suggests a sense of being broken or destroyed emotionally.

grief-stricken

This alternative highlights the profound sorrow and mourning experienced.

despondent

This alternative indicates a state of low spirits and hopelessness.

inconsolable

This alternative suggests that the sadness is so deep that it cannot be alleviated.

shattered

Similar to crushed, but emphasizes the complete breaking of one's emotional state.

forlorn

This alternative suggests a sense of being abandoned and lonely in one's sadness.

wretched

This alternative conveys a feeling of deep unhappiness and misery.

disconsolate

Similar to inconsolable, highlighting the inability to find comfort or solace.

heartsick

This alternative focuses on the physical feeling of emotional pain, as if the heart is aching.

FAQs

How to use "heartbroken" in a sentence?

"Heartbroken" is typically used as an adjective to describe someone feeling intense sadness. For example, "She was heartbroken when her relationship ended."

What can I say instead of "heartbroken"?

You can use alternatives like "devastated", "crushed", or "grief-stricken" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I am heartbrokened"?

No, "heartbrokened" is not a correct form. The correct adjective form is "heartbroken". You would say, "I am heartbroken."

What's the difference between "heartbroken" and "sad"?

"Heartbroken" implies a deeper, more intense sorrow than simply being "sad". "Sad" is a general feeling of unhappiness, while "heartbroken" suggests a profound emotional wound, often from loss or betrayal.