1. causing deep sadness or emotional pain

Examples

• The heartrending documentary about war orphans moved the entire audience to tears.
• She wrote a heartrending letter to her family before leaving for college.
• The heartrending cries of the injured animal prompted immediate rescue efforts.
• His heartrending performance as the grieving father earned him critical acclaim.
• The heartrending scene of the reunion between mother and child was unforgettable.
• The refugees shared heartrending stories of their journey to safety.