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Synonyms
Example Sentences
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
Whatever the fate of the bodies, whatever the future of Russia, however one regards the violent drama of Romanov rule, this remains the most heartbreaking and unbearable scene of them all.
Town & Country, 14 Nov. 2022
Maryland football rallied but suffered a heartbreaking 31-29 loss to Purdue at home on Saturday to fall to 4-2.
Ryan Mcfadden, Baltimore Sun, 9 Oct. 2022
The Pirates are coming off a heartbreaking 39-38 loss to Foley last week.
Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 6 Oct. 2022
Turns out, Better Call Saul had something different, but no less heartbreaking, in mind.
Andy Meek, BGR, 19 July 2022
Which week was more heartbreaking and devastating, life on the streets or his inmate stint two decades earlier?
Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Oct. 2022
What happens to Butcher at the end of the season is definitely heartbreaking and tragic, but those are events of his own making.
Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 July 2022
Jackson is truly heartbreaking as end-stage Ptolemy, who spends his days eating beans from a can and shadowboxing with ghosts from the indelible parts of his past.
Joshua Alston, Variety, 10 Mar. 2022
That was the most heartbreaking scene to have to shoot.
Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Aug. 2022
See More
Town & Country, 14 Nov. 2022
Maryland football rallied but suffered a heartbreaking 31-29 loss to Purdue at home on Saturday to fall to 4-2.
Ryan Mcfadden, Baltimore Sun, 9 Oct. 2022
The Pirates are coming off a heartbreaking 39-38 loss to Foley last week.
Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 6 Oct. 2022
Turns out, Better Call Saul had something different, but no less heartbreaking, in mind.
Andy Meek, BGR, 19 July 2022
Which week was more heartbreaking and devastating, life on the streets or his inmate stint two decades earlier?
Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Oct. 2022
What happens to Butcher at the end of the season is definitely heartbreaking and tragic, but those are events of his own making.
Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 July 2022
Jackson is truly heartbreaking as end-stage Ptolemy, who spends his days eating beans from a can and shadowboxing with ghosts from the indelible parts of his past.
Joshua Alston, Variety, 10 Mar. 2022
That was the most heartbreaking scene to have to shoot.
Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Aug. 2022
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heartbreaking.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Dictionary Entries Near heartbreaking
Cite this Entry
“Heartbreaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartbreaking. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.
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