heart-wrenching

[hahrt ren-ching]

adjective

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

   The accounts of their persecution are heart-wrenching.

Other Word Forms

• heart-wrenchingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of heart-wrenching¹

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

Example Sentences

It's used to heart-wrenching effect on their debut album, singing of the physical ache of unrequited love, over delicately strummed guitars and brushed drums.

From BBC

The ongoing pollution crisis at Lough Neagh is "heart-wrenching" to watch, a public meeting has been told.

From BBC

Hollywood Reporter critic Sheri Linden noted how the "gripping drama delves into a notorious Gaza event with heart-wrenching urgency".

From BBC

His electrifying turn is equal parts heart-wrenching, deliciously irreverent and technically impressive.

From Los Angeles Times

“Their stories are really, really heart-wrenching, because we can only do so much,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agonizing 
• distressing www.thesaurus.com
• gut-wrenching 
• harrowing 
• heartbreaking 
• heartrending 
• painful 
• piteous 
• sorrowful 
• tormenting www.thesaurus.com