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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heartrending Friedland has drawn upon those experiences for her tender and heartrending debut feature, Familiar Touch. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 20 June 2025 Later, her anguish over his unjust plight—and her inability to rectify it—is both a galvanizing force and a heartrending reality. Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024 The awards season might be in full swing, but Small Things Like These deserves to be acknowledge for its outstanding direction and beautiful cinematography, as much as it should be recognized for the poignant and heartrending performances from Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson, particularly. Maelle Beauget-Uhl, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 It’s rooted in the same heartrending themes about tapping into power through passion, but sets itself apart by exploring the story through the specificity of Indian culture. Courtney Howard, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025 The awards season might be in full swing, but Small Things Like These deserves to be acknowledge for its outstanding direction and beautiful cinematography, as much as it should be recognized for the poignant and heartrending performances from Cillian Murphy and Emily Watson, particularly. Maelle Beauget-Uhl, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024 Garfield’s aptitude for self-conscious interiority and expertly modifying the tone and intensity of his performance is perfectly suited for the earnest, chaotic and heartrending demands of this modern dramedy. Rory Doherty, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024 In its most heartrending section, a physical manifestation of the broken mother-child bond, 144 teak drawers slide open to display delicate objects that had been severed in half. Maria Laurino, The New Republic, 29 June 2023 Those possibilities become still more heartrending when Allison is allowed out on parole for a day, in scenes that Breslin plays with a wrenching mix of toughness, resignation and despair. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heartrending
Adjective
  • Charlotte Lawrence loves a good, gut-wrenching, sad song.
    Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Even weeks following the sad news, Black Sabbath is still dominating, and several of the group’s albums climb to new peaks decades after they were first released.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Although the condition itself isn’t typically painful, raw or blistered skin can lead to pain and swelling.7 Secondary skin infections—like if a blister is exposed to bacteria and gets infected—can also cause painful symptoms.
    Sarah Bradley, Health, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Once tooth enamel is lost, the tooth nerves are exposed, which is painful and makes the teeth sensitive.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In June of that year, the CDC began following this strange and tragic phenomenon.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
  • That year, millions of people all around the world consumed his work in incredible numbers following his sudden and tragic passing.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s more pathetic than those who keep selling that myth?
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Kamala has lied for years about their pathetic job growth, which has never been real.
    Meg Kinnard, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Gambling today, however, is a sad and depressing experience, nothing like my dad’s and my Atlantic City adventure.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 15 Aug. 2025
  • And yet, somehow, the most depressing show on TV—with the exception of any news broadcast, at least—is a reality soap about bougie couples in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
    Judy Berman, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The former Calle 13 member impresses her sensitivity to this piece, originally written by Orlando Brito and popularized in 1975 by the great Héctor Lavoe, giving it new life with her powerful, dramatic voice, accompanied by street guitars and harsh, aggressive chords that captivate the listener.
    Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025
  • While the comparison of slave babies being taken from their mommas, and immigrant children being separated from their parents might seem a bit harsh to some, the pain is the same.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The fishermen were forced to abandon the Titan after a series of unfortunate events hit the ship.
    EW.com, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • After the unfortunate withdrawal of U.S. Classic bars champion Myli Lew in podium training, the women’s bars title is even more up for grabs.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Specifically, poor capital allocation decisions have destroyed significant value.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Additionally, over-saturating with water is a poor choice for these floors.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heartrending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heartrending. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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