HEARTBREAKING Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

heartbreaking

adjective

ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ

Definition of heartbreaking

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of heartbreaking The frustration reached another level recently during a particularly heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Royals, when Guerrero’s career as the Blue Jays’ franchise slugger hit a new low in front of home fans. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 In an era of polarization and oversimplified historical narratives, American women need not nostalgia but a new fleet of American Girls who can tell difficult, dangerous, heartbreaking and tenacious stories of lives past. — Tara Strauch, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026 The Ghostbusters actress posted a heartbreaking tribute to her longtime friend, who served as the best man at her 1990 wedding to James Hayman. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026 The loss was especially heartbreaking because the residence was the first home the couple had ever owned. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking

Adjective

However — here is the gold dust — the perfect blend is gay AND sad.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Top Plays from Broncos @ Chiefs Perhaps the only solace for the Broncos after a season of sky-high expectations opened with a flop is those sorts of sad adjectives belonged to everyone.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

This season of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City starts off on an incredibly somber note, given the tragic passing of Mary Crosby’s son, Robert Jr.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
That is not to excuse the recklessness behind the wheel which could feasibly have led to a more serious, potentially tragic incident on the M25 and M3 motorways.

— Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

This is a complete pathetic effort by defense, offense and coaching.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
Among the performers, Smith rules the roost as the no-nonsense Angela, and Jones acquits himself tolerably on comic relief duties as the pathetic Mike.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of pathetic

Adjective

That is the unfortunate part of a tenure full of expansion, media-rights billions and two transformational collective bargaining agreements.

— Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Moore and his allies are presenting gerrymandering as an unfortunate response to an acute political crisis, but trying to gerrymander Maryland in favor of Democrats is far from a new effort.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

The following season, Chelsea topped their Champions League group, but poor Premier League form saw Mourinho sacked in mid-December.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Many are in poor shape, with thin, uninsulated walls, leaky windows, old or broken swamp coolers and electrical systems that can't always handle air conditioners.

— Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

But this sleekly miserable noir about the aftermath of a feckless man’s confrontation with his wife’s younger lover transports the stuff of archetype into Putin’s Russia.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
The higher the price of gas goes, the more miserable Republicans become, and the more bettors see the Dems winning.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of miserable

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“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of heartbreaking

adjective

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