heart-wrenching

[ hahrt ren-ching ]

adjective

1. causing or involving great sadness or distress; heartbreaking:

   The accounts of their persecution are heart-wrenching.

Other Words From

• heart-wrench·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of heart-wrenching¹

First recorded in 1835–40; heart ( def ) + wrench ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

A particularly heart-wrenching scene shows Trump's late wife Ivana suffering abuse at the hands of Trump.

From Salon

With skill and compassion, Dahl has created a heart-wrenching drama of family dysfunction and small-town gentrification that makes “I Dreamed of Falling” a story greater than the sum of its parts.

From Los Angeles Times

Every time you reached a final something — final scene in our motel room, final scene with the family — it was just heart-wrenching.

From Los Angeles Times

“This heart-wrenching event is a tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this incredibly difficult time,” authorities wrote in their statement.

From Los Angeles Times

The dreamy yet heart-wrenching “Sienna” transports listeners to another timeline where things work out between Zardoya and Conway, and they have a child named Sienna who “would’ve been cute” and “would look just like you.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agonizing
• distressing
• gut-wrenching
• harrowing
• heartbreaking
• heartrending
• painful
• piteous
• sorrowful
• tormenting