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
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
Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the latest news, calling it both heartbreaking and healing.
—
Eugenia Yosef, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Millions of Americans face the heartbreaking reality of choosing between critical medications and basic living expenses like groceries, electricity or rent.
—Alexandra Robertson, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Travis ended last season with a heartbreaking 2025 Super Bowl defeat when the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.
—Rachel McRady, People.com, 4 June 2025
That heartbreaking local statistic takes center stage during summers in South Florida.
—Natalia Zea, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
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Eugenia Yosef, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Millions of Americans face the heartbreaking reality of choosing between critical medications and basic living expenses like groceries, electricity or rent.
—Alexandra Robertson, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Travis ended last season with a heartbreaking 2025 Super Bowl defeat when the Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.
—Rachel McRady, People.com, 4 June 2025
That heartbreaking local statistic takes center stage during summers in South Florida.
—Natalia Zea, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbreaking. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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