[Vocabulary] Which one is correct: Heartwrenching/Heart-wrenching/Heart Wrenching

[D.C. Foster]

I was just wondering which of the three is correct: Heartwrenching, Heart-wrenching or Heart Wrenching. And secondly, why are there seemingly 3 different ways of writing it? I've found examples of all three on the net and none in many dictionaries I've look in so now I'm just really confused.

Thanks

PS- And why is it that so many dictionaries I've looked in don't have this word listed?

 

[Rover_KE]

I'd write 'heart-wrenching', on the same basis as dictionaries list 'gut-wrenching'. (Click on the underlined link.)

I can't answer your PS, but this ngram search supports my opinion.