heartrending
UK: ˈhɑːtˌrɛndɪŋ | US: ˈhɑːrtˌrɛndɪŋ
adj. causing intense sorrow or emotional distress
adj. deeply moving or painful to witness
The word "heartrending" combines "heart," symbolizing deep emotion, with "rend," an Old English verb meaning "to tear apart violently." The suffix "-ing" transforms it into an adjective. Historically, "rend" (from Proto-Germanic *rendaną) evoked physical tearing, but by the 16th century, it metaphorically described emotional devastation. The compound emerged in the 17th century to describe experiences so painful they feel like the heart is being torn.
The documentary about orphaned children was truly heartrending.
She gave a heartrending speech about her brother’s battle with illness.
The novel’s climax was so heartrending that many readers wept.
His apology letter contained heartrending honesty about his mistakes.
The refugee’s story of survival was both inspiring and heartrending.