# heartbreaking

/ˈhɑɹtˌbɹeɪkɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈɑːtbɹeɪkɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heartbreaking
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. causing deep sadness

adjective · CEFR B2

causing you to feel very sad or upset, often because you feel sorry for someone.

For teachers: causing intense grief, sorrow, or emotional distress. This is the dominant modern usage of the word.

- It was heartbreaking to see the families lose their homes in the fire.
- The documentary provides a heartbreaking account of the refugees' journey, focusing on the personal stories of those who lost everything.

### 2. great grief

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

the feeling of extreme sadness or a broken heart.

For teachers: the state or experience of intense grief or emotional suffering. Often used in literary contexts to describe the process of losing hope or love.

- The old songs are full of stories about love and heartbreaking.
- The poet captures the slow heartbreaking of a man who has outlived all his companions and his own sense of purpose.

## Examples

- It was heartbreaking to see the old house destroyed.
- The documentary tells the heartbreaking story of families separated by the war and their struggle to reunite.
- Witnessing the slow decline of a brilliant mind is a heartbreaking experience that tests the emotional resilience of even the most dedicated caregivers and family members.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.