"Tugging the heart" is an expression used to describe a deep emotional response, which can encompass a range of feelings, including love, nostalgia, sadness, compassion, and even admiration. Alternative synonyms for this phrase may include "pulling at the heartstrings," "stirring the soul," "touching the innermost feelings," "evoking deep emotions," "resonating with the heart," "gripping the heart," or "moving the spirit." These synonyms are useful for adding variety and depth to one's writing, particularly in creative writing and storytelling. When used skillfully, they can help evoke strong emotional responses in readers or listeners, making a piece of writing all the more powerful.