HEARTACHES Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

heartache

noun

ˈhärt-ˌāk

Definition of heartache

as in sorrow

deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved the heartache she felt when she saw the innocent victims of the war

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of heartache Why pass a bill that would put any young girl at risk of going through that same heartache and trauma? — Riley Gaines Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Dimitrov, 35, is surging through the field one year after heartache on Centre Court, while Fery, the British 23-year-old, has grabbed the opportunity afforded to him by the tournament with both hands. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 July 2026 But Swift will want that right carved out in her prenuptial agreement to avoid potential heartache, according to multiple family attorneys. — Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 3 July 2026 Ending the show with one final jump affirms that there’s no future in which the Landry family is done with time traveling, despite the trauma and heartache the pond has delivered with its gift. — Megan Vick, Variety, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartache

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartache

Noun

The day ended in that same quad with feelings of sorrow, grief, shock and confusion.

— PJ Green August 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Going back to the Mets example, perhaps in an uber-technical sense a Mets’ loss could have marginal economic impact as some fans guzzle more beer to drown away their sorrows.

— Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

Moving between Paris and Belo Horizonte, the film explores grief, migration, Black identity and the invisible ties connecting women across generations.

— Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Asked about previously describing the aftermath as losing more than half of his family — including Nick — Jake acknowledged that his brother’s arrest has compounded his grief.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of grief

Noun

For Alex’s family, those seven months have done little to dull the anguish over what happened to him — or their determination to see the two officers who fired the shots held responsible.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Some say there is a fine line between anguish or sadness — and laughter.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

In the novel, Paradella cannot seem to finish the translation, due to distractions, heartbreaks, travels, and misplacements of the manuscript.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
Wagoner relented and Parton, with a song that captured the pain of deep heartbreak, embarked on a solo career almost incomparable in the history of American music.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of heartbreak

Browse Nearby Words

heart

heartache

heartbeat

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Cite this Entry

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“Heartache.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartache. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of heartache

noun

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