wretch

wretch

noun \ˈrech\

Definition of WRETCH

1

: a miserable person : one who is profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune

2

: a base, despicable, or vile person

Examples of WRETCH

1. The poor wretch lost his job.
2. <the clerk was an ungrateful wretch who stole money from his employer's cash register>

Origin of WRETCH

Middle English wrecche, from Old English wrecca outcast, exile; akin to Old High German hrechjo fugitive, Old English wrecan to drive, drive out — more at wreak

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WRETCH

Synonyms: baddie (or baddy), beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, savage, scalawag (or scallywag), scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, villain

Related Words: villainess; blackguard; criminal, crook, culprit, felon, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, perp, perpetrator, transgressor; sinner, trespasser, wrongdoer; cad, heel, serpent, snake, viper; bandit, bravo, desperado, outlaw; con, convict, jailbird; assassin, cutthroat, gangster, goon, gunman, hoodlum, hooligan, racketeer, ruffian, thug; rough, rowdy, tough; loser, lowlife, ne'er-do-well, stinker, trash

Near Antonyms: angel, innocent, saint; hero

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Rhymes with WRETCH

catch, etch, fetch, fletch, ketch, kvetch, lech, letch, retch, sketch, stretch, vetch