heartbreaking
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.causing you to feel very sad or upset, often because you feel sorry for someone.
adj.causing intense grief, sorrow, or emotional distress. This is the dominant modern usage of the word.
Simple“It was heartbreaking to see the families lose their homes in the fire.”
In context“The documentary provides a heartbreaking account of the refugees' journey, focusing on the personal stories of those who lost everything.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C2 Proficiency
n.the feeling of extreme sadness or a broken heart.
n.the state or experience of intense grief or emotional suffering. Often used in literary contexts to describe the process of losing hope or love.
Simple“The old songs are full of stories about love and heartbreaking.”
In context“The poet captures the slow heartbreaking of a man who has outlived all his companions and his own sense of purpose.”
Synonyms
“The fifth one has the heartbreaking reveal of the Captain’s backstory, followed by that joyous line dancing scene.”
“But I’m left dry-eyed through the drama’s betrayals and its meet-cutes, the hope, the fury, the usually heartbreaking self-sacrifice of its heroine .”