1
as in sad
causing unhappiness
a heartbreaking story of a family torn asunder by war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Over 1,000 fans and followers flooded the comments on Sarah's heartbreaking post updating their audience of Simms' death.
—
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
The stalwart offensive lineman had been playing a wonderful season, and losing him at this juncture is heartbreaking for the Commanders.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Disneyland’s original Haunted Mansion returns today with a heartbreaking new scene.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Ali had 10 more fights after Manila, a few of them legendary, many of them heartbreaking.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for heartbreaking 
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
The stalwart offensive lineman had been playing a wonderful season, and losing him at this juncture is heartbreaking for the Commanders.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
Disneyland’s original Haunted Mansion returns today with a heartbreaking new scene.
—Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Ali had 10 more fights after Manila, a few of them legendary, many of them heartbreaking.
—Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking
Adjective
-
January 26, 2025: Once again, the Bills lose their playoff game against the Chiefs, sparking a bunch of sad Josh Allen edits on TikTok.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2025
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In a sad irony, her grieving family strives to live by Maggie’s words and channel her spirit.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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At least one desperate Russian command, the 20th Combined Arms Army, has formed assault groups made up of walking wounded—including injured men walking with the aid of crutches—and sent them into battle with predictably tragic results.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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Coweta County Fire Rescue continues to be devastated by the tragic passing of Battalion Chief Bart Cauthen.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Something drastic has to be done with this pathetic group of men masquerading as basketball players.—
Ticked Off,
Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2025
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On Vanderpump Rules, this man was smug, pathetic, punchable.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Viewership increased, the Afternoon Depression Zone grew less depressing, everyone seemed happier.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
23 Jan. 2025
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As well as Inauguration Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, today is known as Blue Monday – thought to be the most depressing day of the year.—
Alyssa Jaffer,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Metro Denver's office vacancy rate is reaching new — and unfortunate — highs.—
Esteban L. Hernandez,
Axios,
27 Jan. 2025
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Jeep so far wants to keep pricing for those lower-spec Wagoneer EVs under wraps, though, even if the heart of the run will undoubtedly help the first electric Jeep more effectively escape from unfortunate comparisons to such stiff competition.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But that resulted in a pitiful rebounding effort and a below-average defense.—
Sabreena Merchant,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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This isn’t to say Orlok isn’t evil, but that his evilness does not exclude him from being pitiful.—
Alex Abad-Santos,
Vox,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Understand that poor sleep hygiene can negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep.—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
24 Jan. 2025
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The Texans’ offensive line was mostly poor this season, unable to consistently protect Stroud.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After a miserable year for the run defense, Morgan is hoping to give the trenches a facelift in free agency and the draft.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2025
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Continued his everyday process like nothing was wrong, would come home and be miserable.—
Ryan Canfield,
Fox News,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near heartbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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