1
as in sad
causing unhappiness
a heartbreaking story of a family torn asunder by war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pathetic
deserving of one's pity
a heartbreaking attempt to escape that ends in disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heartbreaking
The Miami Heat put itself in a position to win Tuesday’s elimination play-in tournament game a few times before suffering a heartbreaking one-point overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center that ended its season.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
As a lot of you pointed out yesterday, there were some absolutely heartbreaking matchups.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
The backgrounds of those killed in Iranian strikes over the past month reflect that reality with heartbreaking precision.
—Mina Al-Oraibi, Time, 14 Apr. 2026
Now this kid is not alive, that's heartbreaking.
—Steve Pickett, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
As a lot of you pointed out yesterday, there were some absolutely heartbreaking matchups.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
The backgrounds of those killed in Iranian strikes over the past month reflect that reality with heartbreaking precision.
—Mina Al-Oraibi, Time, 14 Apr. 2026
Now this kid is not alive, that's heartbreaking.
—Steve Pickett, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking
Adjective
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The sad but realistic turns in their lives are engrossing, as is their slow convergence.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
While Vosk’s sassier Cee Cee holds her own in the churn, Barrett, also a fine singer but trapped in the straight-and-narrow part (with sadder wigs), gets swept out to sea.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Based on the 1995 novel by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic follows the witchy women of the Owens’ family, whose heartbroken ancestor cursed their bloodline so that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman dies a tragic death.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
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We are saddened by this tragic news and wish to extend our condolences to this person's family and friends.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even without Bosa, 20 sacks is a pathetic number for a franchise that through the years has included fearsome edge players such as Tommy Hart, Cedrick Hardman, Charles Haley and Aldon Smith.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
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With Juan Soto still sidelined, Alvarez has recently moved up to fifth in a so-far pathetic Mets lineup.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Floyd’s sincerity, the startling extremity of his concern for the comfort of others, snaps Clark out of his depressed, and depressing, complacency.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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That’s already a depressing number.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even before the president set off this unfortunate round of gerrymandering, Democratic states such as New York and Illinois were already heavily gerrymandered.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
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He’s beaten by thugs with a crowbar for an unfortunate outburst, exploited by neighbors in the council estate and arrested, all because people don’t understand Tourette syndrome.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2026
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Most of the time, experts say, vaguebooking boils down to a pitiful plea for attention on the part of the poster.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Braves couldn’t overcome a poor start from Reynaldo López and saw their six-game winning streak fall by the wayside in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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In the days leading up to his fatal overdose, Prince was in poor health and was forced to cancel shows in Atlanta.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Murray made three throws in the first quarter to keep the Nuggets tethered after a miserable 6-for-22 effort from the field.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
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And that is exactly what the season proved to be for the third-year forward, a growth curve after a miserable sophomore season.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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