heartache

noun

heart·​ache ˈhärt-ˌāk 

: anguish of mind : sorrow

Synonyms of heartache

• sorrow
• grief
• anguish
• heartbreak

Examples of heartache in a Sentence

I've had more than my share of heartaches in my life.

the heartache she felt when she saw the innocent victims of the war

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the course of more than twelve hours, the actor pings between heartache and euphoria. — Brian Raftery, Vanity Fair, 6 Oct. 2026

The record offered an unflinching look at her struggles with substance abuse and heartache. — Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 30 Sep. 2026

Success for the puppies and for the organization and for the people in need who ultimately get the dogs, means some heartache for them. — Patricia Babcock McGraw Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The music of the 1990s was a golden age of raucous, irreverent sound, and it was filled with heartache and tragedy. — Gene Park, Washington Post, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for heartache

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• forsake
• gouache
• handshake
• headache

Kids Definition

heartache

noun

heart·​ache ˈhärt-ˌāk 

: sorrow entry 1 sense 1a, anguish