Synonyms of heartbreaking

heartbreaking

adjective

ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ 

1

as in sad

causing unhappiness

a heartbreaking story of a family torn asunder by war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sad
• depressing
• pathetic
• unfortunate
• mournful
• tearful
• melancholy
• saddening
• disturbing
• heartrending
• teary
• dismal
• sorry
• dreary
• drear
• distressful
• distressing
• lamentable
• deplorable
• poignant
• disquieting
• touching
• moving
• discomforting
• grievous
• woeful
• perturbing
• disheartening
• discouraging
• affecting
• dispiriting
• discomposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• happy
• glad
• inspiring
• cheery
• uplifting
• heartening
• stimulating
• stirring
• delightful
• pleasant
• enjoyable
• satisfying
• welcome
• cheering
• heartwarming
• pleasurable
• agreeable
• pleasing
• thrilling
• exhilarating

2

as in tragic

of a kind to cause great distress

the heartbreaking state of Main Street now that most of the businesses have closed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tragic
• unfortunate
• tragical
• terrible
• shocking
• distressing
• horrible
• regrettable
• deplorable
• painful
• disturbing
• lamentable
• sad
• grievous
• unsettling
• heartrending
• woeful
• unlucky
• distressful
• sickening
• awful
• dire
• poignant
• disastrous
• pitiful
• dreadful
• miserable
• unbearable
• troublesome
• traumatic
• fearful
• horrifying
• severe
• alarming
• crushing
• overwhelming
• touching
• harrowing
• moving
• doleful
• piteous
• vexatious
• excruciating
• wretched
• affecting
• intolerable
• calamitous
• perturbing
• ruthful
• sharp
• raging

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rewarding
• gratifying
• satisfying
• pleasing
• encouraging
• comforting
• heartening
• inspiring
• happy
• fortunate
• lucky
• heartwarming
• cheering

3

as in pathetic

deserving of one's pity

a heartbreaking attempt to escape that ends in disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pathetic
• pitiful
• poor
• miserable
• wretched
• sorry
• sad
• disturbing
• pitiable
• piteous
• horrible
• heartrending
• terrible
• emotional
• rueful
• inspiring
• impressive
• poignant
• regrettable
• deplorable
• lamentable
• mournful
• awful
• distressing
• moving
• touching
• sorrowful
• stirring
• upsetting
• affecting
• grievous
• woeful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unimpressive
• uninspiring

Examples of heartbreaking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The inquiry led to a heartbreaking result for Chiles: on Sunday, the International Olympic Committee asked Chiles to return her medal. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2024

On this heartbreaking new goth rock track, Halsey rages against the cycle of inspiration-becomes-commodity that she’s experienced throughout her career, wondering at what point in this process she’s meant to find meaning or joy. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 16 Aug. 2024

Grant’s heartbreaking elimination in Week 6 also sealed the deal for him as a contestant worth having a second shot at love. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 13 Aug. 2024

This is heartbreaking for me and my co-workers, but completely in line with the manager’s day-to-day treatment of us workers. —R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024