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

• depressing
• dismal
• drear
• dreary
• heartrending
• melancholy
• mournful
• pathetic
• sad
• saddening
• sorry
• tearful
• teary

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

Vin Diesel Shares Emotional Post About Paul Walker By Jane LaCroix Contributing Entertainment Writer 1 Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Paul Walker's impact is still felt 11 years after his heartbreaking loss. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024

The Chiefs were able to kneel it out from there to finish off a heartbreaking loss for the Raiders. —Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 30 Nov. 2024

Pasta parties, singing songs on team bus rides, summer workouts and bonding with her teammates overshadowed the heartbreaking loss. —Colin McNamara, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024

Law then reveals the reason behind the heartbreaking bit of movie magic. —Mackenzie Schmidt, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a