Another Word for Heartbroken

21 heartbroken synonyms, sorted from mild to intense.

Heartbroken describes a loss so personal it feels physical, after a breakup, a betrayal, or saying goodbye. If you are searching for another word for heartbroken, consider whether the pain is a dull ache or a fresh, sharp wound. Naming it honestly is part of how it slowly heals.

Synonyms for heartbroken, by intensity

Mild 路 A little, in the background

disappointed
A hope you held did not come true.
let down
Someone did not show up the way you needed.
sad
Simple, honest sorrow.
blue
Casual word for low spirits.
downhearted
Your spirits have sunk after bad news.
bummed
Slang for disappointed and a bit sad.
aching
A dull, steady pain about what you lost.

Moderate 路 Clearly there, hard to ignore

hurt
Someone's actions wounded you.
crushed
Your hopes were flattened.
dejected
Low and discouraged after rejection.
sorrowful
Deep, quiet sadness that lingers.
lovesick
Pining for someone you cannot be with.
gutted
Informal, deeply disappointed and hurt.
wounded
Hurt in a way that will take time to heal.

Intense 路 Strong, taking over

devastated
Your world feels flattened by the loss.
shattered
You feel broken into pieces.
inconsolable
No comfort can reach you right now.
grief-stricken
Overwhelmed by the loss of someone.
anguished
Raw, sharp emotional pain.
destroyed
Informal, completely broken by what happened.
bereft
Deprived of someone deeply loved.

Say it more precisely

I am heartbroken about the breakup.

I am gutted about the breakup and keep checking my phone.

I was heartbroken when the trip got cancelled.

I was bummed when the trip got cancelled after months of planning.

She is heartbroken about her dog.

She is inconsolable since her dog died on Tuesday.

I felt heartbroken when he chose someone else.

I felt crushed when he chose someone else.

Words people confuse with heartbroken

  • grief: Grief can follow any loss. Heartbreak usually involves love or a bond.
  • sad: Sadness can be light. Heartbreak implies a deep, personal wound.
  • rejected: Rejection is being turned away. Heartbreak is losing something you already had or deeply hoped for.
  • betrayed: Betrayal adds a broken trust. Heartbreak can happen with no one at fault.

Opposite of heartbroken

overjoyedelatedhappycontenthealedwholeloved

Go deeper on this feeling

Why the exact word matters

Research on affect labelling shows that putting a precise name on a feeling helps calm it. Feels is built around that idea: instead of rating your day 1 to 5, you pick the word that actually fits, and see your patterns over time.

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