heartrending
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- heartrendingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of heartrending
First recorded in 1680–90; heart + rending ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When Roman blurts out that Logan’s gone, handing Shiv the phone, her tearful squawk is heartrending.
From Salon
His appearance, stopping them in their tracks, is one of the most heartrending moments of any movie.
From Los Angeles Times
The children’s memories of their former friends in Plinkst were bittersweet at best, heartrending at worst, but the heel-clicking gesture was both invigorating and enjoyable, and they saw no reason to give it up.
From Literature
Was it possible that the parents of the Incorrigibles had done the same thing, and for the same heartrending reason?
From Literature
While maintaining a fragile—and heartrending—composure, Ms. Manville’s Jocasta also reveals that she was not Laius’ only victim; it is implied that he was killed while heading to some sort of unsavory assignation.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
