heartwrenching
Deeply, painfully moving
Heartwrenching describes something that causes intense emotional anguish or distress, typically sadness or grief.
A heartwrenching story or heartwrenching scene evokes deep sympathy or sorrow in the audience.
The word suggests an almost physical sensation of the heart being twisted or torn by powerful emotion.
It applies to experiences, narratives, or images that move people to tears or profound compassion: The documentary included heartwrenching footage of families separated at the border.
Causing severe damage
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- poignantEvoking keen emotion
- powerfulHaving great strength
- movingEmotionally affecting
stirring · profound · tearjerker · gripping · haunting · jarring · shocking · disturbing
Intense sorrow from loss
- bereavementState following loss
- mourningPeriod following loss
- lossBeing without something
- devastationSevere widespread destruction
heartbreak · bereft · grieving · elegy · farewell · separation · parting · death
Deep emotional distress
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- forlornSad and abandoned
- crestfallenSad from disappointment
- dejectionState of lowness
loneliness · yearning · pining · doleful · mournful · sorrowful · woeful · bittersweet
Intense mental suffering
- agonyExtreme physical or emotional pain
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- painBodily or emotional distress
- distressSevere anxiety or suffering
misery · trauma · affliction · hardship · struggle · despair · hopelessness · desolation
Causing great sorrow
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
- calamitySevere misfortune or disaster
- disasterSudden ruinous event
- misfortuneAdverse circumstance or event
doom · bleak · pitiful · lamentable · grievous · dire · fateful · ill-fated
Sharing another's emotions
- sympathyCompassionate understanding of others
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- consolationComfort during distress
solace · comforting · caring · understanding · sensitivity · kindness · concern · humanity
devastating
Causing severe damage
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
- poignantEvoking keen emotion
- powerfulHaving great strength
moving · stirring · profound · tearjerker · gripping · haunting · jarring · shocking · disturbing · upsetting
grief
Intense sorrow from loss
- bereavementState following loss
- mourningPeriod following loss
- lossBeing without something
devastation · heartbreak · bereft · grieving · elegy · farewell · separation · parting · death · dying
sorrow
Deep emotional distress
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- forlornSad and abandoned
- crestfallenSad from disappointment
dejection · loneliness · yearning · pining · doleful · mournful · sorrowful · woeful · bittersweet · wistful
anguish
Intense mental suffering
- agonyExtreme physical or emotional pain
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- painBodily or emotional distress
distress · misery · trauma · affliction · hardship · struggle · despair · hopelessness · desolation · woe
tragic
Causing great sorrow
- catastrophicCausing complete destruction
- calamitySevere misfortune or disaster
- disasterSudden ruinous event
misfortune · doom · bleak · pitiful · lamentable · grievous · dire · fateful · ill-fated · star-crossed
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- sympathyCompassionate understanding of others
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
consolation · solace · comforting · caring · understanding · sensitivity · kindness · concern · humanity · warmth
heartwrenchingheartwarming
Evoking tender positive feelings
uplifting · heartening · joyful · joyous · delightful
heartwrenchingunemotional
Lacking outward feeling
emotionless · bland · flat · forgettable · uninspiring
heart, hearts, hearted, heartless, heartfelt, hearty, heartily, heartiness, sweetheart