Heart-rendering vs. Heart-rending

Heart-rendering

/ˈhɑrtˌrɛndərɪŋ/

Causing deep emotional pain or distress

Examples:

His heart-rendering speech left everyone in tears.The novel's heart-rendering scenes struck a deep chord.She gave a heart-rendering performance that moved the audience.

Synonyms:

heartbreakingpainfuldistressing

Antonyms:

joyfulupliftingcheerful

Heart-rending

/ˈhɑrtˌrɛndɪŋ/

Something that causes deep sadness or distress

Examples:

The letter was heart-rending, filled with longing and regret.The refugee's story was heart-rending, capturing the room's empathy.Her heart-rending song brought tears to many in the audience.

Synonyms:

heartbreakingpoignantdistressingtragic

Antonyms:

comfortingreassuringsoothing

Ways to tell them apart:

• Remember that rend means to tear apart, while render means to provide or give something.
• Heart-rending implies something is so sad it feels like your heart is being torn apart.
• Heart-rendering is a common misspelling as people confuse render with the intended meaning of rend.
• If someone is heart-rending, it means their actions or a situation are emotionally upsetting, pulling at your heartstrings.
• Rendering often refers to providing or creating, so remember that heart-rendering would incorrectly suggest creating or providing a heart, not tearing it.