heartbreaking

adjective

ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ How to pronounce heartbreaking (audio)
Definition of heartbreakingnext
1
as in sad
causing unhappiness a heartbreaking story of a family torn asunder by war

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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

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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

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 Her best friend, Laura (Pernell Walker), is already out, and helps Alike navigate the minefield at home, as Alike explores her identity and ultimately faces a heartbreaking choice. — David Faris, TheWeek, 17 July 2026 Downsizing is exciting for some, yet heartbreaking for others. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 16 July 2026 On Tuesday, the 29-year-old artist took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 All this history, plus a pair of finals appearances, and heartbreaking losses, in the most recent European championships is just too painful right now. — Sean Gregory, Time, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking
  1. sad
  2. tragic
  3. pathetic
  4. depressing
  5. unfortunate
  6. pitiful
  7. poor
  8. miserable
Adjective
  • Biden as the progressive hero, and Obama as the sad, weak appendage to the Reagan era.
    — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
  • But my partner’s son is sad his own father is also less involved but doesn’t see the cause.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 29 July 2026
Definition of sad
Adjective
  • Further, for a couple like the Warners, who had kept their relationship private, this matter has drawn unwanted attention to a family mourning a tragic loss.
    — Morgan Mouchette, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • This true story follows his ultimately tragic path hiking in the uncharted wilderness of Alaska.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 31 July 2026
Definition of tragic
Adjective
  • Despite the Warriors operating with a pathetic sense of self-mortification — bending over backward for the mere possibility the King might grace them with his presence — the power of friendship wasn’t enough to lure James to the Bay.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 July 2026
  • Instagram Plus is social media’s newest low—a company preying on our most pathetic impulses, for the price of a small iced coffee.
    — Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
Definition of pathetic
Adjective
  • The song arrives alongside a cinematic, albeit somewhat depressing, video directed by Mikai Karl and starring distinctive French character actor Denis Lavant (Beau Travail, Mauvais Sang).
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 15 July 2026
  • In addition to which, the Moon is lined up with stern Saturn, which can be depressing.
    — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 7 July 2026
Definition of depressing
Adjective
  • No, this unfortunate moniker represents the lack of attention to and awareness of the disease.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Typically, when rookies put up gaudy numbers in Las Vegas, their stats are accompanied by unfortunate shooting percentages or a bevy of turnovers, but that wasn’t the case for Burries.
    — Eric Nehm, New York Times, 19 July 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
  • Headline figures such as tasks completed, queries handled or hours saved can look impressive while concealing errors, rework, poor customer outcomes and escalating operating expenses.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Habits like poor sleep, heavy drinking and smoking often make things worse, and work pressure, financial strain and caring for aging parents can compound the effects.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • Maybe people don’t realize, but a lot of shows become miserable to work on.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • Despite the miserable May that cast their season into the wilderness, the ability is still there.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of miserable

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Cite this Entry

“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of heartbreaking for Spanish Speakers

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