heart-rending
Emotionally crushing, pitiable
Heart-rending describes something that causes overwhelming grief or anguish—so painful it feels like the heart is being torn apart.
A heart-rending story or heart-rending cry evokes deep emotional distress in the listener.
The word appears in contexts of tragedy, loss, or profound suffering: The documentary included heart-rending footage of families separated at the border.
Causing intense emotional anguish
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
- tear-jerkingProvoking strong emotional response
- movingEmotionally affecting
- touchingEvoking gentle emotion
poignant · devastating · agonizing · harrowing · wrenching · piercing · crushing · shattering
Arousing sorrowful contempt
- plaintiveSounding sad, sorrowful
- woefulExtremely sad or pitiful
- dolefulExpressing deep sorrow
- mournfulShowing or feeling grief
sorrowful · forlorn · wretched · pitiable · pathetic · lamentable · miserable · desolate
Period following loss
- bereavementState following loss
- lossBeing without something
- lamentationPassionate expression of grief
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
tears · weeping · grieving · condolence · elegy · dirge · funeral · keening
Longing for the past
- wistfulSadly longing for something
- melancholicInclined toward reflective sorrow
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
sentimental · reflective · evocative · rueful · tender · aching · bittersweet · regretful
heartbreaking
Causing intense emotional anguish
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
- tear-jerkingProvoking strong emotional response
- movingEmotionally affecting
touching · poignant · devastating · agonizing · harrowing · wrenching · piercing · crushing · shattering · overwhelming
pitiful
Arousing sorrowful contempt
mournful · sorrowful · forlorn · wretched · pitiable · pathetic · lamentable · miserable · desolate · disconsolate
mourning
Period following loss
- bereavementState following loss
- lossBeing without something
- lamentationPassionate expression of grief
sorrow · tears · weeping · grieving · condolence · elegy · dirge · funeral · keening · wailing
nostalgic
Longing for the past
- wistfulSadly longing for something
- melancholicInclined toward reflective sorrow
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
longing · sentimental · reflective · evocative · rueful · tender · aching · bittersweet · regretful · reminiscent
tearjerker
Emotionally manipulative entertainment
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- melodramaSensational, emotionally overwrought drama
- weepieSentimental sad film
ballad · lament · requiem · tale · story · scene · moment · episode · climax · finale
heart-rendingheartwarming
Evoking tender positive feelings
uplifting · happy · joyful · heartening · cheerful
heart-rendingunremarkable
Not worthy of comment
unmemorable · forgettable · bland · emotionless · uninspiring