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

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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 News of the rescue has gotten hundreds of reactions on social media, with many noting the dog’s predicament was heartbreaking. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 What unfolds is a heartbreaking, at times haunting story about a little boy who strove to become a legend, and the woman who understood his manic, at times reckless drive. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 Bamford’s suffering is heartbreaking, her resilience is moving and her material about it all is a warped kind of genius. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 The Raiders came out firing at 3-0 before suffering a heartbreaking loss against the Chiefs in Week 4 and then getting boatraced by the Patriots in Week 5. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heartbreaking

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartbreaking

Adjective

State Drive, an ugly black roadway, separates the Science Center and its new addition from the park’s Rose Garden, and serves as a sad connector to the rest of the park.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
As more details came out, the sad truth of Perry’s relapses and drug hustle emerged.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Flanagan incorporates video interviews as a framing device, in which surviving witnesses recount their memories of the tragic events.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
The best memories can sometimes come to the forefront, but Jay’s first memories of his dad are really tragic ones.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of tragic

Adjective

Maybe the most vivid reminder was what happened after a similarly depressing defeat in 2021 in the last game in which Mahomes played and the Chiefs managed only a field goal.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
In another depressing week for the UK’s public broadcaster, there were more cuts, talk of even more cuts and programs scrapped, as the BBC’s desperate bid to make the books work continues under former Google EMEA chief Matt Brittin.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of depressing

Adjective

For many people, however, the presentation instead bears an uncanny and unfortunate resemblance to imagery used in Nazi-era Germany.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The Giannis Antetokounmpo era is off to an unfortunate start, as the Heat is 0-2 to start a season for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfortunate

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Our dear old Katie, who used to wake us up every morning with her cheery smile, is now nothing more than a miserable LIB Boomer who comments on Danica Patrick's Instagram posts in the middle of the night.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
That's the last time the Chargers had a start this poor, dropping their first 11 games during a miserable 1-15 season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of miserable

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Style

“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartbreaking. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of heartbreaking

adjective

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