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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heartbreaking
The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region in Colorado Springs shared the heartbreaking details of the dog’s ordeal in a July 17 Facebook post that rescuers wrote from his perspective.
—
Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
Alanna and her husband, Keith, received heartbreaking news of their 9-year-old St. Bernard passing away while on vacation in February.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
But like the waves at Cousins Beach, this third and final season reveals heartbreaking secrets, setting up one final brotherly tug-of-war over Belly's heart.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 July 2025
The result of their relentless hard work were investigations that led to the arrest of one high-profile zoologist in Australia, a truck driver in the States, and others who deserve to be punished for their heartbreaking and horrifying crimes.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
Alanna and her husband, Keith, received heartbreaking news of their 9-year-old St. Bernard passing away while on vacation in February.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
But like the waves at Cousins Beach, this third and final season reveals heartbreaking secrets, setting up one final brotherly tug-of-war over Belly's heart.
—Ew Staff Updated, EW.com, 18 July 2025
The result of their relentless hard work were investigations that led to the arrest of one high-profile zoologist in Australia, a truck driver in the States, and others who deserve to be punished for their heartbreaking and horrifying crimes.
—Melissa Locker, Time, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking
Adjective
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That's the sad reality facing many dogs in the wider shelter system.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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Know that all feelings are OK Some kids might be very sad or might be scared, and some kids might not have thought about this at all.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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This summer, in particular, has been defined by a tragic surge in deadly flash floods across the United States, underscoring the escalating volatility of our warming world.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
20 July 2025
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The Louisiana native has been working steadily since the early ’90s, appearing in the Julia Roberts/Dennis Quaid vehicle Something To Talk About (1995), John Singleton’s tragic historical drama Rosewood (1997), and a string of high-profile TV series.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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The double talk that is presented by both Republicans and Democrats alike is pathetic.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
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Tehran's retaliation has, so far, been pathetic: a few missiles lobbed at an empty US base, complete with a heads-up.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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That this show could mark a turning point for free speech and the First Amendment is just too depressing to contemplate.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
2 July 2025
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But already there are major depressing effects on the ports and warehousing that are important contributors to California's economy.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Instead, like so many unfortunate accidents since cell phones were invented, this was caused by a distracted driver.—
Anne Marie D. Lee,
CBS News,
14 July 2025
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Fortunately for him, that gaffe will be a little easier to live down than Teal and Weinberg’s unfortunate comments.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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My pansies are pitiful, the lavender is languishing and the salvia is suffering.—
Barbara Ellis,
Denver Post,
7 July 2025
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Something about this one note prompted even this pitiful creature to a risky gesture of mercy.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Spurred by climate change, Canadian wildfires have increasingly exacerbated poor air quality across Milwaukee and southern Wisconsin.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
24 July 2025
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Other critical factors that led to several brands exiting Japan, like Ford in 2016, were insufficient product lineups, and a poor dealer network.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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For now, this is DeVries on the job: intent but measured, teeth ready to clamp down on his tongue, establishing standards while also very much trying to make sure his team isn’t miserable from the beginning.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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His Panthers opened the season with two miserable losses, complete with booing from fans in the home opener, and the 23-year-old soon became the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the Super Bowl era to be benched for non-injury reasons.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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