What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
heartrending
Example
The heartrending story of the orphaned child left everyone in tears. [heartrending: adjective]
Example
The scene in the movie where the protagonist loses their loved one was truly heartrending. [heartrending: adjective]
distressing
Example
It's distressing to see so much pollution in our oceans. [distressing: adjective]
Example
The news of the natural disaster was very distressing for the affected families. [distressing: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distressing is more commonly used than heartrending in everyday language. Distressing is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while heartrending is less common and is typically used in more dramatic or emotional situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between heartrending and distressing?
Both heartrending and distressing are formal words that are appropriate for use in serious or professional contexts. However, heartrending has a more dramatic and emotional connotation, which may make it less suitable for certain formal situations.
