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

• depressing
• dismal
• drear
• dreary
• heartrending
• melancholy
• mournful
• pathetic
• sad
• saddening
• sorry
• tearful
• teary

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

The show’s biggest mistake is to delay a flashback to a pivotal and heartbreaking day in Xavier’s life until the penultimate hour of the eight-episode season. —Judy Berman, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025

The Eagles beat the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl LII following the 2017 season, lost a heartbreaking Super Bowl LVII to the Kansas City Chiefs two years ago and desperately want to raise the Lombardi Trophy again. —David Aldridge, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

Particularly when Jim goes to Helsinki seeking this job, and that’s so heartbreaking. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2025

Actress Zooey Deschanel shared a heartbreaking message on her birthday. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a