heartbreaking

adjective

heart·​break·​ing ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ 

1

: causing intense sorrow or distress

heartbreaking news

a heartbreaking defeat

2

: producing an intense emotional reaction or response

heartbreaking beauty

heartbreakingly

ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ-lē 

adverb

a heartbreakingly tragic movie

Synonyms

• sad
• depressing
• pathetic

Examples of heartbreaking in a Sentence

She wrote a heartbreaking story about the death of her grandfather.

It was heartbreaking to know that there was nothing I could do.

The team suffered another heartbreaking defeat.

Recent Examples on the Web

What began as one of the most heartbreaking, devastating experiences of my life, turned into an unending nightmare. —Micah Kimball, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

Their deaths are heartbreaking because fans will no longer be able to hear the music, watch the films, and enjoy the work. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025

Forest Hills has had a terrifying and heartbreaking suicide rate in recent years. —Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025

Continue reading … FINAL GOODBYE – Al Pacino's heartbreaking regret surfaces after Diane Keaton's unexpected death. —FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for heartbreaking

• awaking
• backbreaking
• bookmaking
• breathtaking
• brickmaking
• caretaking
• dressmaking
• filmmaking
• forsaking
• glassmaking
• groundbreaking
• haymaking