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
Despite the film’s heartbreaking subject matter, Eva Victor is all smiles during our interview.
—
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Lisa Vanderpump’s family is coping with heartbreaking news after her 28-year-old nephew was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease.
—Vivian Kwarm, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Carpenter plays Emily in a persuasive, snarling manner that's both chilling and heartbreaking — and the farmhouse in the middle of nowhere serves as the perfect crime scene.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Addison Barger had two hits and an RBI for the American League champion Blue Jays, who coolly rebounded from their heartbreaking, late-night defeat in Game 3 with stellar work at the plate and on the mound.
—Staff Report, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
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Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Lisa Vanderpump’s family is coping with heartbreaking news after her 28-year-old nephew was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease.
—Vivian Kwarm, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Carpenter plays Emily in a persuasive, snarling manner that's both chilling and heartbreaking — and the farmhouse in the middle of nowhere serves as the perfect crime scene.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Addison Barger had two hits and an RBI for the American League champion Blue Jays, who coolly rebounded from their heartbreaking, late-night defeat in Game 3 with stellar work at the plate and on the mound.
—Staff Report, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbreaking. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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