HEARTBREAKING Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

heartbreaking

adjective

ˈhärt-ˌbrā-kiŋ

Definition of heartbreaking

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

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

as in pathetic

deserving of one's pity a heartbreaking attempt to escape that ends in disaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of heartbreaking Last year, research from a watchdog group found that ChatGPT would tell 13-year-olds how to get drunk and high, instruct them on how to conceal eating disorders and even compose a heartbreaking suicide letter to their parents if asked. — Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 His older sister stayed mum about his death for many months after, eventually sharing heartbreaking comments about his loss in September 2024. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Aug. 2026 Back in 2022, the news of his son Anthony's stage-four cancer diagnosis was even more heartbreaking. — Christine Sloan, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026 Hayden Panettiere’s final Instagram post before her death is, in hindsight, a heartbreaking celebration of joy. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking

Adjective

You guys are so stunning 😍😍 So sad to not be there but cannot wait to celebrate the beautiful newlyweds!

— Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
And then there’s the sad, as when Earle cries about her breakup or reveals that her mother was diagnosed with cancer while Alix was competing on Dancing With the Stars.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

The lake has also been the site of several tragic drownings in which victims’ remains were never recovered – and may now be coming nearer to the surface.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The trailer has shots of medical staff treating screaming and severely injured patients, performing chest compressions and Robby consoling a grieving family member who received some tragic news.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

Romano’s wry, hangdog default demeanor suits his character, Joe, a father of two who’s separated from his wife (Penelope Ann Miller) and living in a depressing motel.

— Judy Berman, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
The simple, rather depressing, and completely overwhelming fact of the matter is that the Marvel Cinematic Universe cannot be ignored, even as superhero fatigue has definitively set in at the global box office.

— David Sims, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of depressing

Adjective

That understanding for the narrator is one tinged with mourning for the boy who endured but also the suspect boy who was always there, even before all the unfortunate happenings.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
The first addresses inflammation and irritation (an unfortunate side effect of vitamin C, for some people).

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

The petition argues Mays’ language during the trial revealed something deeper than a poor defense strategy — a worldview that dehumanized the man he was supposed to defend.

— Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
There remains work to be done, as evidenced by their poor showing in last Thursday’s 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

— Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

That two-run swing merely offset the shortstop’s second consecutive game with an error, however, in what’s been a miserable defensive season.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
These findings align with consumer confidence data from the Conference Board, which found earlier this month that baby boomers and Gen Xers are far more miserable about the economy than younger generations.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of miserable

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“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of heartbreaking

adjective

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