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
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Recent Examples of heartbreaking
An incoming freshman in Colorado is finding support and family within his community after his parents and little brother were taken too soon in a heartbreaking act of violence.
—
Gabriela Vidal,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
In a heartbreaking scene that followed at the end of Episode 7, Gaby received a call and learned that Maya had died by suicide.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Savannah has made several heartbreaking pleas on Instagram and returned to work in April.
—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
18 June 2026
And a heartbreaking way to end one helluva run.
—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Gabriela Vidal,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
In a heartbreaking scene that followed at the end of Episode 7, Gaby received a call and learned that Maya had died by suicide.
—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Savannah has made several heartbreaking pleas on Instagram and returned to work in April.
—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
18 June 2026
And a heartbreaking way to end one helluva run.
—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking
Adjective
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Then Greene takes a long, sad subway ride home, and America learns that one of their favorite TV doctors isn't flawless.
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Local foodies were sad to hear owner Sylvia Chung (Momma Chung) retired and closed the south Fort Worth restaurant in October of last year.
Adjective
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Kara isn’t the only superhero with a tragic origin story – but unlike, say, that guy who dresses up as a bat and fights crime after the deaths of his mom and dad, Kara hits up a dive bar and plays with her dog to cope.
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Following the tragic incident, Aiden has been remembered for his kindness and intense drive.
Adjective
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After these first three majors — and after a pathetic showing this week at Shinnecock — there's no reason to bet against it.
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The Right Now’s Diana Levy — the executive producer of the stunt — asked reporters to spread out in a way that would make the turnout appear as sparse (and therefore pathetic) as possible.
Adjective
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What a depressing, disturbing waste, no matter the final verdict.
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After watching and enjoying the film, a somewhat depressing thought leaped into my mind.
Adjective
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The injury was an unfortunate occurrence in his World Cup debut and could affect Sweden’s chances going forward.
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The mini-slump in Eugene coincides with the aforementioned downturn in Spokane to create an unfortunate stretch for college basketball in the Pacific Northwest.
Adjective
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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.
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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.
Adjective
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Rebecca Lowe joins Dan Patrick to discuss some of the top storylines around the World Cup, including Cristiano Ronaldo's poor play to start, the United States' potential and more.
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Will the gap between rural and urban America – and the gap between rich and poor America – decline or grow?
Adjective
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And Wilde’s couple is miserable in a way only Americans can be.
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Björck alone should make the Jets’ 2026 draft a win and help Jets fans move past the miserable season that led to the pick.
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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