heartbreaking
Heartbreaking (adj) means causing intense sadness or grief. Example: “The footage of the flood victims was absolutely heartbreaking.”
adj
1
Causing intense sadness or grief.
"The footage of the flood victims was absolutely heartbreaking."
"It was heartbreaking to watch the old dog struggle up the stairs."
How to use heartbreaking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo sad it feels like it could break your heart.
Common pairings
a heartbreaking story
heartbreaking news
truly heartbreaking
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Word forms
- Plural
- heartbreakings
- Comparative
- more heartbreaking
- Superlative
- most heartbreaking
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The footage of the flood victims was absolutely _____.
Etymology
Formed from heart and breaking.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for heartbreaking
See all rhymes for heartbreaking →Frequently asked questions
What does “heartbreaking” mean?
The word “heartbreaking” means causing intense sadness or grief. In plain terms, so sad it feels like it could break your heart.
How do you use “heartbreaking” in a sentence?
Here is “heartbreaking” used in a sentence: “The footage of the flood victims was absolutely heartbreaking.”
What part of speech is “heartbreaking”?
“Heartbreaking” is an adjective.
Is “heartbreaking” a common word?
“Heartbreaking” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between heartbreaking and heartbroken?
Heartbreaking describes something that causes intense sadness or grief, such as a heartbreaking story, while heartbroken describes the person who feels that grief. In other words, heartbreaking is about the cause, and heartbroken is about the resulting emotional state.
Is heartbreaking used for events beyond romantic loss?
Yes, heartbreaking is used broadly for anything causing intense sadness or grief, not just romantic breakups, such as a heartbreaking news story about a natural disaster or a heartbreaking loss in sport. Its meaning centres on the emotional impact, not the specific cause.
What kind of situations are typically described as heartbreaking?
Situations described as heartbreaking are those that cause deep sadness or grief, such as tragic deaths, suffering, or profound disappointment. The word is used for both real-life events and depictions in stories, films, or news reports.
