5
harrowing(adjective, sympathy)
5
pathetic(adjective, mean, moving, low, sad)
5
touching(adjective, mean, moving, low, sympathy)
5
tragic(adjective, sad, unhappy, wretched, sympathy)
4
agonizing(adjective, moving, emotional, sympathy, touching)
4
excruciating(adjective, sympathy)
4
heart touching
4
piteous(adjective, sad, melancholy, miserable, painful)
4
unfortunate(sad, unhappy, wretched, sorrowful, distressing)
3
affecting(adjective, moving, sad, painful, touching)
3
catastrophic(adjective, sad, unhappy, sorrowful)
3
emotive(adjective, moving, tender, touching, exciting)
3
flagitious
3
pitiable(adjective, mean, low, sad, tender)
3
poignant(adjective, moving, tender, painful, wretched)
3
sorrowful(adjective, upset, mean, moving, low)
3
woeful(adjective, mean, low, sad, terrible)
2
affective(adjective, moving, touching, exciting, stirring)
2
afflictive
2
anguished(adjective, sad, unhappy, sorrowful)
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APASmart Define. (2015). heartrending thesaurus. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/heartrending/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "heartrending thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/heartrending/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 21, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, heartrending thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/heartrending/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "heartrending thesaurus" 20 July 2015. Web. 21 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/heartrending/thesaurus/synonyms>