heart crushing

USAGE SUMMARY

"heart crushing" is an acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It can be used to describe events or feelings that evoke a deep sense of sadness or despair. For example: The news of his death was absolutely heart crushing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Accepting charity is an admirable trait but one that ultimately sits heavy on the heart, crushing the spirit.

Huffington Post

But for now I am simply digesting the week that was, the one that was eye opening, heart crushing, heart-warming and world expanding; where I lived through a stressful job, the death of a fellow athlete, and a glimpse into the complex lives of Aboriginal youth in Ontario.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That was one of the hardest parts – to have your heart crushed so many times you wonder whether it actually has any life left in it," she says, quietly.

Independent

My heart crushed into a million little pieces at that moment.

HuffPost

Everyone has sat with their heart crushed at their feet, their desires shredded, their best selves rejected, their words misconstrued.

HuffPost

He ended up with his heart crushed and being sent to Hell as a mortal — which meant he was still in play.

Los Angeles Times

So as someone who has recently gotten her heart crushed, I find the part I struggle with the most is the continuing thinking of the ex and wondering what he's doing, how he's feeling...etc., etc.

Huffington Post

Ryan Stevenson scored a hat-trick as Hearts crushed sorry Kilmarnock and cranked up the Ayrshire side's relegation play-off fears.

BBC

The Wildcats have had their hearts crushed in regional finals played in Southern California.

Los Angeles Times

"I'm putting hearts because my heart is crushed," she explained, before repenting and turning the hearts into circles.

The New York Times - Travel

My heart is crushed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heart crushing" to vividly convey a sense of profound disappointment or sorrow. This phrase is most effective when describing events that cause deep emotional pain.

Common error

Avoid using "heart crushing" to describe minor inconveniences or setbacks. Reserve it for situations where the emotional impact is genuinely significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heart crushing" functions as an adjective, modifying a noun to describe something that causes intense emotional pain or disappointment. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is acceptable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

20%

The New York Times

10%

Less common in

BBC

3%

The Guardian

3%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heart crushing" effectively communicates profound disappointment or sorrow. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While grammatically correct, it's best reserved for situations that genuinely warrant such strong emotional description. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases like "soul crushing" or "heart breaking" can serve as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid overusing the phrase to maintain its impact. Always ensure that it accurately reflects the gravity of the situation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

soul crushing

Emphasizes the impact on one's inner self or spirit.

heart breaking

A more common and direct synonym.

deeply saddening

Focuses on the emotion of sadness the event evokes.

emotionally devastating

Highlights the destructive emotional impact.

gut wrenching

Implies a strong, visceral emotional reaction.

bitterly disappointing

Focuses on the feeling of disappointment and disillusionment.

crushing blow

Highlights the sudden and forceful nature of the emotional impact.

painful to witness

Emphasizes the distress caused by observing something.

extremely disheartening

Highlights the loss of morale or enthusiasm.

heart rending

Indicates a severe emotional pain or sorrow.

FAQs

How can I use "heart crushing" in a sentence?

Use "heart crushing" to describe events or news that cause deep sadness or disappointment, such as "The news of the factory closing was "heart crushing" for the entire town".

What can I say instead of "heart crushing"?

You can use alternatives like "soul crushing", "heart breaking", or "deeply saddening" depending on the context.

Is "heart crushing" the same as "heart breaking"?

While similar, "heart breaking" is more commonly used to describe romantic disappointment, whereas ""heart crushing"" can apply to broader situations causing deep sorrow or despair.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "heart crushing"?

It's appropriate when describing situations or events that evoke profound sadness, disappointment, or grief, such as the loss of a loved one or a major setback in one's personal or professional life.