Heartbreaking: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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

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.