incredibly heartbreaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incredibly heartbreaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that evokes a strong sense of sadness or emotional pain. Example: "The news of the tragedy was incredibly heartbreaking for everyone in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

That was incredibly heartbreaking for me.

The Guardian - Film

He was someone who didn't possess the tools to achieve what he wanted out of life; and in that regard, incredibly heartbreaking".

The Guardian - Film

While there is no doubt that pets – even goldfish I suppose – are loved, and that their deaths can be incredibly heartbreaking, the idea of organising an elaborate funeral for a furry friend strikes me as somewhat over the top.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was incredibly heartbreaking to tell people that I couldn't tell them what was ahead".

Los Angeles Times

Here's the truth.' It was incredibly heartbreaking to do, I still don't know how some of them feel".

Vice

He then described his mother's plight, saying, "It's incredibly heartbreaking to see someone that you love so much fall prey to this disease and realize that you're relatively powerless to stop it or to even slow it down".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Then, just as we're turning against him again, there's the scene where Bobby apologises and tells Don, "We need to get you a new daddy", which was incredibly sweet and heartbreaking.

The Guardian

Mr Cameron went on to say that some of the evidence heard at the inquiry so far has been "really heartbreaking" and "incredibly shocking".

BBC

Opinion varied greatly, from "incredibly well executed" to "heartbreaking", so we suggest you read the ones below and come to your own opinion.

Huffington Post

Hold My Liquor is just heartbreaking, and particularly coming from where it's coming from – listen to that incredibly poignant hook from a tough guy like Chief Keef, wow.

The Guardian - Music

"So incredibly heartbreaking to hear the news of Chi's passing," added My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incredibly heartbreaking", consider the audience and adjust the tone accordingly. In more formal settings, you might opt for a slightly less emphatic alternative like "deeply saddening" or "profoundly distressing".

Common error

Avoid using "incredibly heartbreaking" for minor inconveniences or disappointments. Overusing strong emotional language can diminish its impact when describing genuinely significant events. Reserve it for situations where the emotional pain is truly profound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incredibly heartbreaking" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to emphasize the intensity of sadness or emotional pain associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and acceptability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incredibly heartbreaking" effectively conveys a strong sense of sadness and emotional pain. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. It is commonly found in News & Media, Wiki, and Formal & Business contexts. While it's appropriate for various situations, avoiding overuse in trivial matters is crucial to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives like "deeply saddening" or "utterly devastating" depending on the specific nuance you aim to express. Its primary function is to evoke empathy and highlight the emotional weight of a particular narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heartrendingly sad

Combines 'heartrending' and 'sad' for a compound adjective describing the deep sadness.

deeply saddening

Replaces "incredibly heartbreaking" with a more straightforward and less emphatic expression of sorrow.

painfully affecting

Emphasizes the emotional pain and impact of the event.

utterly devastating

Emphasizes the catastrophic impact and overwhelming nature of the heartbreaking event or situation.

tragically affecting

Focuses on the tragic nature of the situation and its emotional effect on individuals.

profoundly distressing

Highlights the depth of the emotional upset and anguish caused by the event.

exceptionally grievous

Uses a more formal and intense term to describe the severity of the sorrow.

extremely regrettable

Shifts the focus to the unfortunate and undesirable nature of the situation, implying sadness.

bitterly disappointing

While not directly about heartbreak, captures the intense negative emotion associated with unmet expectations or loss.

woefully unfortunate

Downplays the emotional aspect and focuses on the bad luck or negative circumstances surrounding the event.

FAQs

What does "incredibly heartbreaking" mean?

The phrase "incredibly heartbreaking" describes something that causes a profound sense of sadness or emotional pain. It indicates a situation or event that is deeply upsetting.

How can I use "incredibly heartbreaking" in a sentence?

You can use "incredibly heartbreaking" to describe events, stories, or situations. For example: "The story of the refugees was "incredibly heartbreaking"", or "It was "incredibly heartbreaking" to see the devastation caused by the hurricane".

What can I say instead of "incredibly heartbreaking"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply saddening", "utterly devastating", or "tragically affecting" depending on the context.

Is "incredibly heartbreaking" formal or informal?

"Incredibly heartbreaking" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in very formal settings, you might prefer a slightly less emphatic alternative such as "profoundly distressing".