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
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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
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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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January 26, 2025: Once again, the Bills lose their playoff game against the Chiefs, sparking a bunch of sad Josh Allen edits on TikTok.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
27 Jan. 2025
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In a sad irony, her grieving family strives to live by Maggie’s words and channel her spirit.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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
-
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
-
Metro Denver's office vacancy rate is reaching new — and unfortunate — highs.—
Esteban L. Hernandez,
Axios,
27 Jan. 2025
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Jeep so far wants to keep pricing for those lower-spec Wagoneer EVs under wraps, though, even if the heart of the run will undoubtedly help the first electric Jeep more effectively escape from unfortunate comparisons to such stiff competition.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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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After a miserable year for the run defense, Morgan is hoping to give the trenches a facelift in free agency and the draft.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2025
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Continued his everyday process like nothing was wrong, would come home and be miserable.—
Ryan Canfield,
Fox News,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near heartbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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