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 of heartbreaking

• sad
• depressing
• pathetic

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

This is where Najya’s story takes a heartbreaking and enraging turn. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 28 Sep. 2026

Kenyon Sadiq’s breakout game could not save the Jets from another heartbreaking loss. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026

Washington blew 42 saves, an MLB record, and had a number of other heartbreaking losses. — Danielle Allentuck, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2026

Western Michigan has beaten Monmouth and Rice since its heartbreaking and controversial loss at Michigan. — ABC News, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for heartbreaking

• awaking
• backbreaking
• bookmaking
• breathtaking
• brickmaking
• caretaking
• dressmaking
• filmmaking
• forsaking
• glassmaking
• groundbreaking
• haymaking