heartrending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heartrending" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that evokes deep sadness or emotional pain. Example: "The film's heartrending ending left the audience in tears."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the other hand, heartrending tales of Jewish survivors of Nazi Europe being turned back from their "promised land" also tugged at Western consciences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In my job at Channel Mum I speak with dozens of new mums every day and some of their tales are heartrending.

Independent

In the Inferno (X) Dante composed a monument to his great friend, and it is as heartrending a tribute as his memorial to Latini.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I already had many fears about what awaited me in parish ministry, but Dr. Tiller's murder was a heartrending reminder that not even churches are a sanctuary from the violence of a weary world.

The New Yorker

They are figures who have left madness behind them, and this is why they are marked by such a consistently heartrending, inhuman superficiality.

The New Yorker

Some of the condemned appealed to him in heartrending terms.

The New Yorker

As Adam struggles to honor Luke's wish to remain closeted to his conservative Southern family, we see the forces of love and dignity at odds, and the results are heartrending.

The New Yorker

His up-tempo romps are as stirring as his ballads are heartrending — see him, and have something to tell the grandchildren about.

The New Yorker

Instead, they began to hedge their bets on the war, focussing on "the mood of America" and on heartrending stories of service and sacrifice.

The New Yorker

Still, his account of his family is heartrending, as when he analyzes his mother's suicide note, which starts out, "I don't know why I chose today to begin".

The New Yorker

Heartrending disappointment".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heartrending" to describe situations, stories, or events that evoke profound sadness and compassion. Ensure the context justifies the intensity of the emotion conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "heartrending" to describe mildly sad or unfortunate situations. Overusing this word can diminish its impact when describing truly devastating events. Choose a more appropriate adjective for less intense scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "heartrending" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that evokes deep sorrow, grief, or distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is usable in English. Examples show it describing "tales", "stories", "performances", and other nouns.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heartrending" functions as an adjective used to describe events, stories, or situations that evoke profound sadness and compassion. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using "heartrending", ensure the context justifies the intensity of the emotion conveyed. Consider alternatives like "heartbreaking" or "poignant" for nuances in meaning. Avoid overusing "heartrending" in mildly sad scenarios to maintain its impact for truly devastating events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heartbreaking

Focuses on the feeling of the heart being broken by sadness.

distressing

Highlights the cause of anxiety and suffering.

poignant

Emphasizes the sharpness and emotional impact of the sadness.

tragic

Indicates a severe and unfortunate event causing great sorrow.

grievous

Stresses the severity and weight of the sorrow.

pathetic

Suggests a sense of pity mixed with sadness.

piteous

Focuses on the quality of inspiring compassion.

mournful

Highlights the expression of sorrow and grief.

lamentable

Indicates that something is regrettable and sorrowful.

woeful

Implies a deep sense of sadness and misfortune.

FAQs

How to use "heartrending" in a sentence?

"Heartrending" is used to describe something that causes great sorrow or distress. For example, "The movie told a "heartrending" story of loss and redemption."

What can I say instead of "heartrending"?

You can use alternatives like "heartbreaking", "distressing", or "poignant" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "heartrending" or "heartbreaking"?

Both "heartrending" and "heartbreaking" are correct, but ""heartrending"" emphasizes a deeper sense of sorrow, while "heartbreaking" focuses on the emotional pain.

What's the difference between "heartrending" and "tragic"?

"Heartrending" describes something that evokes a deep sense of sorrow, while "tragic" implies a severe and unfortunate event resulting in great suffering.