heartbreaking

1 causing unhappiness a heartbreaking story of a family torn asunder by war Synonyms depressing, dismal, drear, dreary, sad, heartrending, melancholy, mournful, pathetic, saddening, sorry, tearful, tearyRelated Words deplorable, distressful, grievous, lamentable, unfortunate, woeful; discomforting, discomposing, disquieting, distressing, disturbing, perturbing; affecting, moving, poignant, touching; discouraging, disheartening, dispiritingNear Antonyms heartening, heartwarming, inspiring, stimulating, stirring, uplifting; agreeable, delightful, enjoyable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, welcome; exhilarating, thrillingAntonyms cheering, cheery, glad, happy

2 of a kind to cause great distress the heartbreaking state of Main Street now that most of the businesses have closed Synonyms deplorable, distressful, distressing, grievous, regrettable, heartrending, lamentable, tragic (also tragical), unfortunate, unlucky, woefulRelated Words troublesome, vexatious; affecting, doleful, moving, piteous, poignant, ruthful, touching; awful, dire, dreadful, fearful, severe, terrible; alarming, disturbing, perturbing, traumatic, unsettling; crushing, excruciating, harrowing, horrible, horrifying, intolerable, overwhelming, shocking, sickening, unbearable; miserable, pitiful, sad, wretched; calamitous, disastrous; painful, raging, sharpNear Antonyms gratifying, pleasing, rewarding, satisfying; comforting, encouraging, heartening; cheering, heartwarming, inspiring; fortunate, happy, lucky

3 deserving of one's pity a heartbreaking attempt to escape that ends in disaster Synonyms pathetic, heartrending, miserable, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, rueful, sorry, wretchedRelated Words deplorable, lamentable, regrettable; emotional, impressive, inspiring; affecting, moving, poignant, stirring, touching; awful, horrible, terrible; distressing, disturbing, upsetting; grievous, mournful, sad, sorrowful, woefulNear Antonyms unimpressive, uninspiring