Synonyms and related words :
affecting, afflictive, agonizing, calamitous, consuming, desolating, dire, distressing, doleful, excruciating, grievous, harrowing, heartbreaking, heartsickening, heartwounding, lamentable, moving, pathetic, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, racking, regrettable, rending, tormenting, torturous, touching, unfortunate