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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 The end result is a sharp, unapologetic art-house novel full of gravitas, humor and heartbreaking revelations about the Black American experience and the thousand and one ways our nation can shatter Black souls. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026 Now, all of this follows Parton’s longtime driver, Jason Pirro, opening up about her heartbreaking death. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026 The state of Connecticut formally into their General Assembly entered the heartbreaking details of more than three dozen local deaths strongly linked to energy drinks. — Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026 Minutes before he was sentenced Monday to life in prison for the murder of his wife, Caleb Flynn sobbed as his in-laws read letters written by his two daughters, asking him heartbreaking questions about their mother’s death. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking

Adjective

Tuesday's testimony in Media was emotional and sad as the 911 call of the stabbing was played.

— Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
But seeing Mike Love this weekend was a sad one for Beach Boys fans.

— Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Encouragement from his longtime confidante and collaborator helped the comedian write about the loss of his beloved home before Reiner’s tragic killing in December 2025 alongside his wife, Michele, in Brentwood.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Reynolds, a Black disabled man with a limb difference, is given a character of substance that isn’t tragic or inspirational.

— Kristen Lopez, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

There are concerted efforts to ban such devices, but they are still used with depressing frequency.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 12 Oct. 2026
Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Cincinnati – the latest miserable day during this depressing season - crystallized several issues that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley must navigate in the days and weeks ahead.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressing

Adjective

Neighbors shocked about stabbing Neighbors say Thomas was known to have mental health issues and called the stabbing unfortunate.

— Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
To make matters worse, India’s Supreme Court, another vital democratic institution, has also played an unfortunate role in this train of events.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
That receiver sends that poor defender into next week at the pylon.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Cincinnati – the latest miserable day during this depressing season - crystallized several issues that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley must navigate in the days and weeks ahead.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
Probably get out and do that, like, half-walk, half-jog thing and then show up, like, really sweaty and miserable.

— Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of miserable

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heartbreak

heartbreaking

heartbroken

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“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of heartbreaking

adjective

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