heartbreaking

adjective

heart·​break·​ing ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ How to pronounce heartbreaking (audio)
Synonyms of heartbreakingnext
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 How to pronounce heartbreaking (audio)
adverb
a heartbreakingly tragic movie

Synonyms of heartbreaking

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the death was heartbreaking and that the federal government would continue supporting British Columbia. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Throughout the third season, viewers witness Jackie and Cole navigate not only their evolving relationship and heartbreaking breakup but also their struggles with their pasts and their journey to rediscover their true selves. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026 What followed was a global outpouring of grief, conspiracy theories surrounding her death, and the heartbreaking image of her sons, William, then 15, and Harry, 12, following their mother’s casket through London. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026 For neighbors, the tragedy is heartbreaking, but not surprising. — Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartbreaking was in 1591

Rhymes for heartbreaking

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Browse Nearby Words

heartbreaker
heartbreaking
heartbroken
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Cite this Entry

“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbreaking. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heartbreaking

Nglish: Translation of heartbreaking for Spanish Speakers

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