Heartbreaking Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’”
Add to dictionary

heartbreaking

[หˆhษ‘หrtหŒbreษชkษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling or causing great sadness or distress

Heartbreaking is used to describe something that is extremely sad or distressing, often causing a deep emotional response in those who witness it. It can refer to situations, events, or stories that evoke strong feelings of sorrow or sympathy.

Synonyms

devastating, gut-wrenching, heart-wrenching, sorrowful, tragic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
heartbreaking

Use when describing a situation that deeply affects emotions and causes great sadness.

  • It was heartbreaking to see the family lose their home in the fire
devastating

Use when describing a situation that causes extreme emotional or physical destruction and leaves long-lasting effects.

  • The news of the sudden death of their friend was devastating
gut-wrenching

Use when describing a powerful emotional response that feels physically painful.

  • Watching the video of the homeless pets was gut-wrenching
heart-wrenching

Use when describing an event or situation that causes intense emotional pain and sympathy.

  • Her story about losing her child was heart-wrenching
tragic

Use when describing an event or situation that involves great suffering, loss, and usually an element of drama.

  • The tragic accident claimed the lives of many people on the highway
sorrowful

Use when describing a situation that is full of deep sadness and grief.

  • The old man had a sorrowful look in his eyes as he talked about the past

Examples of usage

  • It was heartbreaking to see the orphaned children crying for their parents.
  • The heartbreaking news of the natural disaster left the entire community in shock.
  • The movie's heartbreaking ending left the audience in tears.
  • The heartbreaking images of the war-torn country touched the hearts of people around the world.
  • The heartbreaking reality of poverty and hunger is a harsh reminder of the inequalities in our society.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'heartbreaking'

The term 'heartbreaking' originated in the mid-18th century, derived from the combination of 'heart' and 'breaking'. It signifies the emotional impact that something has on a person, as if it is causing their heart to break. Over the years, 'heartbreaking' has become a widely used adjective to convey deep sadness and distress.


See also: brokenhearted, dishearten, disheartened, disheartening, halfheartedly, heart, heartache, heartbeat, heartbreak, heartbreaker, heartbreakingly, heartbroken, heartening, heartfelt, heartily, heartland, heartless, heartlessly, heartlessness, heartsease, heartthrob, heartwarming, hearty.