Standard Lemma guide

heartrending

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

adj

Meaning 1

That causes great grief, anguish or distress.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: heartbreaking, heartwrenching

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: heartbreaking, heartwrenching

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

That elicits deep sympathy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I am suddenly assaulted by the most heartrending puppy-dog eyes I've ever seen as Emi pouts.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

causing or marked by grief or anguish

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a grievous loss
  • a grievous cry
  • her sigh was heartbreaking
  • the heartrending words of Rabin's granddaughter

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: grievous, heartbreaking

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From heart + rending.

Across languages

Translations

22 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: herzzerreißend — that causes great grief
  • Irish: coscrach — that causes great grief
  • Japanese: 痛ましい (itamashii) — that causes great grief
  • Māori: tarariki — that causes great grief
  • Norwegian Bokmål: hjerteskjærende — that causes great grief
  • Polish: rozdzierający serce — that causes great grief
  • Polish: łamiący serce — that causes great grief
  • Russian: душераздира́ющий (dušerazdirájuščij) — that causes great grief
  • Russian: го́рестный (górestnyj) — that causes great grief
  • Spanish: desgarrador — that causes great grief
  • Spanish: devastador — that causes great grief
  • Spanish: desolador — that causes great grief
  • Spanish: emotivo — that causes great grief
  • Swedish: hjärtslitande — that causes great grief
  • Swedish: hjärtskärande — that causes great grief
  • German: herzzerreißend — that elicits deep sympathy
  • Norwegian Bokmål: hjerteskjærende — that elicits deep sympathy
  • Polish: chwytający za serce — that elicits deep sympathy
  • Russian: душераздира́ющий (dušerazdirájuščij) — that elicits deep sympathy
  • Spanish: emotivo — that elicits deep sympathy
  • Swedish: hjärtslitande — that elicits deep sympathy
  • Swedish: hjärtskärande — that elicits deep sympathy