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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of heartbreaking
However, one woman recently changed her fostering plans after meeting an elderly dog with a heartbreaking story.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
When everyone arrives at Kyle’s to head up to Garcelle’s beach house, Dorit tells a heartbreaking story about how Jagger asked her if Dorit and her husband were divorced.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
On indigo blue dye and the slave trade These scenes in the historical record of people being exchanged for a block of indigo were heartbreaking to me.
—Tonya Mosley, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025
After the pandemic shutdowns, this felt especially heartbreaking.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for heartbreaking 
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
When everyone arrives at Kyle’s to head up to Garcelle’s beach house, Dorit tells a heartbreaking story about how Jagger asked her if Dorit and her husband were divorced.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025
On indigo blue dye and the slave trade These scenes in the historical record of people being exchanged for a block of indigo were heartbreaking to me.
—Tonya Mosley, NPR, 28 Jan. 2025
After the pandemic shutdowns, this felt especially heartbreaking.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking
Adjective
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That history stems from many things, but our sad legacy is behind us.—
Chris Brewster,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Feb. 2025
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Myriad other parties this week included soirees hosted by GQ, which may or may not still publish a magazine, and Sports Illustrated, which cut its once-stellar staff to the bone and became a sad shell of its former self but evidently can still afford to throw a Super Bowl party.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Following the tragic deaths of his parents in the D.C. crash, it was announced via X on Jan. 27 Maxim had withdrawn from the Four Continents Championships, which would've been his final figure skating event this season.—
Lawrence Yee,
People.com,
2 Feb. 2025
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Our prayers are with the families, friends, neighbors and all of those impacted by the tragic crash.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Here, 288 Romanian mercenaries who surrendered to M23 are counted and sent back to Europe, a pathetic and dejected lot.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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Misery-loves-company is a real thing, pathetic but true.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Green made do with a slightly depressing cafeteria lunch—a cheese-and-pickle sandwich and a shiny red apple—and some chitchat about the weather.—
Nicola Twilley,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
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Beyond that, the shadow of Teresa’s legal woes hung over the season, making for a depressing watch.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While injuries are always unfortunate, Lee’s absence should benefit a Horned Frogs team that struggled with Iowa State’s frontcourt on Sunday.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2025
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Over those few unfortunate seconds for Bills left guard David Edwards, Jones provided yet another vivid example of why he’s been a first team All-Pro for three years in a row.—
Dave Campbell,
Twin Cities,
3 Feb. 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
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Lopetegui was eventually sacked on January 8, having failed to fix West Ham’s poor form.—
Roshane Thomas,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
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Though Osbourne had a farewell tour set to begin in 2023, he was forced to cancel the shows due to poor health.—
Rosa Rahimi,
CNN,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In addition to a generally miserable illness, measles can cause complications: 1 in 5 unvaccinated people with measles in the US end up hospitalized.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
7 Feb. 2025
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On the day after the New England Patriots ended their NFL season with a miserable 4-13 record, team owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo, the team’s first Black head coach.—
Joseph N. Cooper,
The Conversation,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near heartbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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