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

In a series of heartbreaking responses, the girls all explain how the videos change the way boys in their class perceive them and give these boys inflated expectations. —Annabelle Canela, Parents, 22 July 2025

One of Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s co-stars shared a heartbreaking statement after learning of his death. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025

Following the heartbreaking news, the Ole Miss football team released a tribute post on social media to honor Adams’ memory. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 21 July 2025

Please join Susan and me in praying for his family and respecting their privacy during this heartbreaking time. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 20 July 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