heart-wrenching

[ hahrt-ren-ching ]

/ ˈhɑrt ˈrɛn tʃɪŋ /

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adjective

causing or involving great sadness or distress; heartbreaking: The accounts of their persecution are heart-wrenching.

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Origin of heart-wrenching

First recorded in 1835–40; heart + wrench + -ing²

heart-wrench·ing·ly, adverb

The questions going through my mind are: How on earth are there Kalashnikovs and rocket launchers in the heart of Paris?
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But at the heart of this “Truther” conspiracy theory is the idea that “someone” wants to destroy Bill Cosby.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She fills her characters up—strong women beating back against a sexist system—with so much heart.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
One specific kind of emergency is at the heart of this, such as when an airplane suffers a loss of stability at night.
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Acting legend talks about what role is closest to her heart.
Gena Rowlands on Her Favorite ‘Woman’|The Daily Beast Video|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The blood that accused his friend in his heart, rushed to his face, when he repeated what had been told him.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
After all, may not even John Burns be human; may not Mr. Chamberlain himself have a heart that can feel for another?
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various
Her heart fluttered violently with fear as she saw that he stepped out after her, and walked by her side toward the house.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various