[go: up one dir, main page]

wrath

Definition of wrathnext
1
2

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun wrath differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of wrath are anger, fury, indignation, ire, and rage. While all these words mean "an intense emotional state induced by displeasure," wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

When can anger be used instead of wrath?

The words anger and wrath are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

When would indignation be a good substitute for wrath?

The synonyms indignation and wrath are sometimes interchangeable, but indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

When might ire be a better fit than wrath?

Although the words ire and wrath have much in common, ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

How do rage and fury relate to one another, in the sense of wrath?

Both rage and fury suggest loss of self-control from violence of emotion.

shook with rage
could not contain his fury

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wrath Broadly speaking, the justification for criminal punishment turned away from wrath, toward utilitarian concepts of effectiveness and social benefit. Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2026 But when her latest husband, discord spirit Raksh, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina must clean up his blunder, contend with Marjana’s demands for the truth…and figure out who on her crew is plotting a mutiny. Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026 This time, the exiting Eric Adams got Andy’s wrath. Britina Cheng, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025 Another of the boys, Ben (Everett Blunck), struggles between his desire to help the outcast camper and his worries about incurring the wrath of the larger group, especially the ringleader Jake (Kayo Martin). Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • Did the man go too far, or was his anger justified?
    Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
  • As Blacc hinted at, there is more than a little anger to go around about what happened before, during and since the fires, along with the sorrow and thousand other emotions.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The entrepreneur said there was a stunt double for Chalamet's behind; however, the actor insisted on taking the punishment himself.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Authorities imposed a sweeping internet blackout this week that largely cut the country off from the outside world and escalated threats of harsh punishment while anti-regime protests spread.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Regardless of our paths — whether that meant escaping war in Ethiopia or being the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors — many of us labor under the belief that this work requires us to commit to the ideals of this nation and not the indignation and nightmare of the insurrection.
    Sarah Ghermay, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2026
  • How else to account for the ferocity of the public indignation?
    Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Hendrickson proved to be too much, and Suamataia was benched for Morris after allowing two sacks and taking two holding penalties in the second half.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Jimenez’s movement drags Forest centre-back Nikola Milenkovic up the pitch, allowing Smith Rowe to carry the ball forward and progress the attack, which leads to the award of the penalty that proves to be the game’s only goal.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • By contrast, Eugenia condemns herself to a future of festering tension and fury.
    Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 5 Jan. 2026
  • The Utah transfer’s long-range bucket sparked a fury of offensive firepower – the Bruins ended the second quarter on a 16-2 run to lead the Trojans (10-4, 2-1) by 15 points at halftime.
    Benjamin Royer, Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Her death sparked outrage across the country.
    Ryan Oehrli January 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Several Democrats in the state privately cautioned Walz against seeking reelection as outrage intensified in Minnesota and beyond over the misuse of funds.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The four-time NBA championship coach flew into a rage, aggressively gesturing at officials and screaming.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Over the years, wallpaper has been all the rage.
    Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Many designs now incorporate nighttime-specific lighting, plus mood lighting.
    Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • The score, a nondescript pop-synth mood (feat.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on wrath

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!