broken-hearted

She looked broken-hearted as she read the old letter.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Overwhelmed by grief or disappointment: "broken-hearted" describes a state of extreme emotional pain, typically caused by the loss of a loved one, the end of a romantic relationship, or a profound disappointment. It implies a feeling of having one's heart "broken" into pieces, signifying deep sorrow.

Usage Examples

• (Overwhelmed by grief from the loss of a pet.)
• (Deeply saddened by the separation from a close friend.)
• (Extreme disappointment due to a failed expectation.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be broken-hearted over/about something": to experience intense grief or disappointment regarding a specific event or situation.

  • She was broken-hearted over the breakup of her marriage. (She felt deep sorrow about the end of her marriage.)

• "a broken-hearted person": someone who is suffering from emotional devastation.

  • The broken-hearted widow rarely left her house. (A person grieving the loss of a spouse.)

Variants and Related Words

• Broken-heartedness (noun): the state or quality of being broken-hearted; intense grief.

  • His broken-heartedness was evident in his tearful eyes. (His profound sorrow was visible.)

• Heartbroken (adjective): a synonym meaning the same as broken-hearted; overwhelmed by grief.

  • She was heartbroken when she failed the exam. (She felt deep disappointment.)

Synonyms

• Heartbroken: feeling intense sorrow or grief.
• Devastated: emotionally crushed or destroyed by grief.
• Grief-stricken: overwhelmed by heavy sorrow.
• Sorrowful: full of sadness or grief.

Related Idioms

• To have a broken heart: to be in a state of extreme emotional pain, especially from love or loss.

  • He had a broken heart after his girlfriend left him. (He was deeply saddened by the end of the relationship.)

• To cry one's heart out: to weep intensely from grief or disappointment.

  • She cried her heart out after hearing the sad news. (She wept uncontrollably due to sorrow.)

Phrasal Verbs

• (None directly associated with "broken-hearted" as it is an adjective, not a verb. However, the verb "break" can be used in related phrases:)
• Break someone's heart: to cause someone to feel deep sorrow or disappointment.
  • His betrayal broke her heart. (His disloyalty caused her intense emotional pain.)