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:

• Heart-rendering is a common mistake; the correct phrase is heart-rending.
• Heart-rending describes something that is deeply emotional and causes grief or sadness.
• Think of rending as tearing or pulling apart, which is what happens to your heart when you feel deep sorrow.
• Rendering typically refers to providing or giving something, which doesn’t align with the context of emotional pain.
• Remember, rending relates to the tearing effect on the heart.