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 heartbreaking finale saw the death of one of their own, when JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow) is stabbed by his biological father.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
This incident is truly heartbreaking, but safety incidents on our platform are extremely rare.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Some mornings were easier than others, but many were heartbreaking.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Watching the roommates experience that day was heartbreaking, cathartic, and absolutely unforgettable.
—Breanne L. Heldman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
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Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
This incident is truly heartbreaking, but safety incidents on our platform are extremely rare.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Some mornings were easier than others, but many were heartbreaking.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Watching the roommates experience that day was heartbreaking, cathartic, and absolutely unforgettable.
—Breanne L. Heldman, Entertainment Weekly, 21 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 24 Oct. 2025.
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