heartbreaking

adjective

heart·​break·​ing ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ 

1

: causing intense sorrow or distress

heartbreaking news

a heartbreaking defeat

2

: producing an intense emotional reaction or response

heartbreaking beauty

heartbreakingly

ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ-lē 

adverb

a heartbreakingly tragic movie

Synonyms

• depressing
• dismal
• drear
• dreary
• heartrending
• melancholy
• mournful
• pathetic
• sad
• saddening
• sorry
• tearful
• teary

Examples of heartbreaking in a Sentence

She wrote a heartbreaking story about the death of her grandfather.

It was heartbreaking to know that there was nothing I could do.

The team suffered another heartbreaking defeat.

Recent Examples on the Web

The only way to remedy the situation was for Love to take the heartbreaking step of filing a lawsuit against his cousin Brian. —Jordan Runtagh, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024

Harlingen South stymies Aledo, ends Bearcats’ season in run down Aledo softball’s season ended in the Class 5A state semifinals in heartbreaking fashion. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 May 2024

To even flirt with the idea that Landeskog won’t return to form is heartbreaking. —Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 23 May 2024

Swift River, Essie Chambers (June 4) Essie Chambers’ debut novel, Swift River, is a heartbreaking, yet hopeful coming of age story about the high cost of family secrets. —Shannon Carlin, TIME, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a