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
The America's Got Talent results shows can be heartbreaking sometimes, and that was certainly true Wednesday, when results of the second round of the quarterfinals were revealed.
—
Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Sir Bobby Robson’s team beat Leverkusen home and away in the Champions League back in 2003, before a heartbreaking loss at Marseille in the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) semi-final a year later.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
What happened today in Minneapolis is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I are praying for the parents who have lost a child or will be sitting at their hospital bedside after yet another act of unspeakable, unnecessary violence.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
That bunny was accidentally sold at a yard sale, a heartbreaking moment that left her inconsolable.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
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Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Sir Bobby Robson’s team beat Leverkusen home and away in the Champions League back in 2003, before a heartbreaking loss at Marseille in the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) semi-final a year later.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
What happened today in Minneapolis is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I are praying for the parents who have lost a child or will be sitting at their hospital bedside after yet another act of unspeakable, unnecessary violence.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2025
That bunny was accidentally sold at a yard sale, a heartbreaking moment that left her inconsolable.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 25 Aug. 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 3 Sep. 2025.
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