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
Synonyms
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 organization's social media post about Kristoff features heartbreaking images of the conditions the dog was found in.
—
Rachel McRady, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Watts getting injured again is heartbreaking as the defensive lineman had just been activated off IR after missing nearly a month due to a shoulder injury.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
The Nuggets’ 134-121 win over Detroit featured Murray’s first 30-point performance since Game 7 of their second-round playoff series in May, the night their season ended in heartbreaking fashion vs. Minnesota.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2024
Kim shares stories—some heartbreaking, some laugh-out-loud funny—of individuals who have found life's unexpected turns, leaving behind a positive impact.
—Kimberly Harms, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heartbreaking 
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Rachel McRady, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Watts getting injured again is heartbreaking as the defensive lineman had just been activated off IR after missing nearly a month due to a shoulder injury.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
The Nuggets’ 134-121 win over Detroit featured Murray’s first 30-point performance since Game 7 of their second-round playoff series in May, the night their season ended in heartbreaking fashion vs. Minnesota.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2024
Kim shares stories—some heartbreaking, some laugh-out-loud funny—of individuals who have found life's unexpected turns, leaving behind a positive impact.
—Kimberly Harms, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Dictionary Entries Near heartbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbreaking. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
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