heartrending

[ hahrt-ren-ding ]

/ ˈhɑrtˌrɛn dɪŋ /

causing or expressing intense grief, anguish, or distress.

Origin of heartrending

First recorded in 1680–90; heart + rending

heart·rend·ing·ly, adverb

gut-wrenching heartrending

Clearly, the voters were rewarding his heartrending performance of “ I Want to Hold Your Hand.”

Golden Globes 2011: Watch the Funniest Moments |The Daily Beast Video |January 17, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
The band sounded a wailing chord, and the whole audience broke into loud, heartrending weeping.

The Imported Bridegroom |Abraham Cahan
Some of the scenes witnessed here were heartrending in the extreme.

The Johnstown Horror |James Herbert Walker
Far and wide as the waste extended were these heartrending and distressing noises to be heard.

In Love With the Czarina and Other Stories |Mr Jkai

Then, with a heartrending sob, Claire drew open the door and hurried from the room.

The Master of the Ceremonies |George Manville Fenn
They elected to come with us, accompanied by their families and live stock, and they offered a most heartrending spectacle.

My Reminiscences of the Anglo-Boer War |Ben Viljoen.