heartbreaking
gb/hˈɑɹtbɹˌeɪkɪŋ/ us/hˈɑɹtbɹˌeɪkɪŋ/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
causing deep sadness
Making you feel very sad.
Usage pattern:
[a heartbreaking] [story/event/scene/decision]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with heartwarming (making you feel happy and touched).
Synonyms
devastating (Often suggests severe emotional damage or shock.)
|
heartrending (More literary; emphasizes pulling strongly at the emotions.)
|
tragic (Focuses on terrible events or outcomes, not just feelings.)
Antonyms
heartwarming (Makes you feel moved in a happy, positive way.)
|
uplifting (Makes you feel more hopeful or encouraged.)
Collocations
heartbreaking news
|a heartbreaking story
|a heartbreaking scene
|a heartbreaking decision
|a heartbreaking moment
|a heartbreaking tragedy
|heartbreaking footage
|heartbreaking details
|heartbreaking reality
|utterly heartbreaking
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|life_events
Examples
- The documentary includes heartbreaking interviews with families who lost their homes.
- It was heartbreaking to watch her say goodbye to her dog.
- The photos from the hospital were truly heartbreaking.
Learner examples
- The story is heartbreaking.
- It is heartbreaking to see people suffer.
adjective
C1
property
2
painfully disappointing near-miss
Very sad and disappointing, especially when you were close to winning or succeeding.
Usage pattern:
[a heartbreaking] [loss/defeat/miss]
Common mistake:
In sports and competition, heartbreaking often describes a close loss, not a literal relationship breakup.
Synonyms
crushing (Stronger and more forceful; highlights the impact of the disappointment.)
|
gut-wrenching (More informal; emphasizes a physical feeling of distress.)
Antonyms
triumphant (Describes a victorious, celebratory outcome.)
|
exhilarating (Describes an exciting, energizing experience rather than a painful one.)
Collocations
a heartbreaking loss
|a heartbreaking defeat
|a heartbreaking finish
|a heartbreaking collapse
|a heartbreaking miss
|a heartbreaking setback
|a heartbreaking final
|in heartbreaking fashion
Themes
sports
|competition
|emotions
Examples
- They suffered a heartbreaking loss after conceding a goal in the final minute.
- It was a heartbreaking defeat, because the team had dominated the whole match.
- The singer finished second in a heartbreaking near-miss.
Learner examples
- We had a heartbreaking loss.
- They lost in the last minute, which was heartbreaking.
Grammar
Dictionary form
heartbreaking
IPA
GB/hˈɑɹtbɹˌeɪkɪŋ/
US/hˈɑɹtbɹˌeɪkɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
heart - break - ing (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (heart)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: heartbreaking
Word family
Core family
heartbreak
noun
heartbroken
adjective
heartbreakingly
adverb
Related words
heartbreaker
noun
heartwarming
adjective B2
Expressions
find [something] heartbreaking
1/fˈaɪnd sˈʌmθɪŋ hˈɑɹtbɹˌeɪkɪŋ/
fixed phrase
feel sad about something
To think something is very sad.
Examples
- Many viewers found the ending heartbreaking.
- I find it heartbreaking that some people still can’t afford basic medicine.
- She found the letter heartbreaking to read.
it's heartbreaking to see [someone/something] ...
1/ˈɪts hˈɑɹtbɹˌeɪkɪŋ tə sˈi sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ |/
fixed phrase
introduces a sad observation
We say this when something we see makes us feel very sad.
Examples
- It’s heartbreaking to see so many animals left behind after the storm.
- It’s heartbreaking to see him give up on something he loves.
- It’s heartbreaking to see families separated for months.