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Definition of heartrending

heartrending

/ˈhɑːrtˌrɛndɪŋ/
heart · rend · ing
Adverb:heartrendingly
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heartrending Lexical Profile

heartrending Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing intense sorrow, grief, or emotional distress.

Example

"The documentary featured a heartrending account of families separated during the natural disaster."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for heartrending
Antonyms
View all antonyms for heartrending

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'heartrending' (literally tearing the heart apart, from the verb 'rend') with the eggcorn 'heart-wrenching', although both are now widely used to mean deeply distressing.

• Nearby Words

heartless
heartlessly
heartlessness
heartrending
heartrendingly
hearts
heartsick

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 16th century as a compound of 'heart' and the present participle of 'rend' (from Old English 'rendan', meaning to tear or lacerate).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Heartrending. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/heartrending
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