heartbreaking
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of heartbreaking
First recorded in 1600–10; heartbreak + -ing 2
Explanation
Something that's deeply sad or distressing is heartbreaking, like the heartbreaking death of your beloved cat. Heartbreaking is the perfect word to describe a devastating feeling. When you lose someone you love, it feels like your heart is broken. Use this adjective for anything that causes you grief or sorrow, like the heartbreaking loss of an old tree in your yard or a glimpse of your crush holding hands with someone else. Other distressing events can feel heartbreaking too — even the loss of your favorite team in the playoffs: "What a heartbreaking defeat!"
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This is a heartbreaking loss for our college community, and the wider city of Sunderland," a statement published on Facebook said.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Fiona Cole, from Trussell Trust in Northern Ireland said it was "heartbreaking" to see food banks in this situation, adding the stress on food bank managers and volunteers is increasing on a daily basis.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026
Meanwhile, Gisondo’s freckle-faced Dan is the only truly heartbreaking character.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
“It’s just heartbreaking emails. And I have to tell them, ‘I’m really sorry.
From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026
How heartbreaking, in addition to Zhenya, to learn now of the death of their beloved Marina Raskova!
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
