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
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
What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
His performance balances youthful idealism, simmering rage and heartbreaking vulnerability, particularly as the character becomes increasingly consumed by the injustices unfolding around him.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Having Rue die in this way no doubt struck many of Cloud’s fans as especially heartbreaking because the actor died on July 31, 2023 from a lethal combination of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the Alameda County coroner’s office.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
At the 2018 World Cup Modrić captained Croatia and led the team to the final, beating Denmark, Russia, and England in the knockouts before suffering a heartbreaking 4–2 loss in the final to France.
—Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
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.
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
His performance balances youthful idealism, simmering rage and heartbreaking vulnerability, particularly as the character becomes increasingly consumed by the injustices unfolding around him.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
Having Rue die in this way no doubt struck many of Cloud’s fans as especially heartbreaking because the actor died on July 31, 2023 from a lethal combination of drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the Alameda County coroner’s office.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 June 2026
At the 2018 World Cup Modrić captained Croatia and led the team to the final, beating Denmark, Russia, and England in the knockouts before suffering a heartbreaking 4–2 loss in the final to France.
—Sanat Pai Raikar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbreaking. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
