wrath

1 of 2

noun

ˈrath 

chiefly British

ˈrȯth 

1

: strong vengeful anger or indignation

2

: retributory punishment for an offense or a crime : divine chastisement

wrath

2 of 2

adjective

ˈrath 

chiefly British ˈrȯth

archaic

: wrathful

Synonyms of wrath

Noun

• anger
• indignation
• fury
• outrage
• rage
• wrathfulness
• mood

Choose the Right Synonym for wrath

anger, ire, rage, fury, indignation, wrath mean an intense emotional state induced by displeasure.

anger, the most general term, names the reaction but by itself does not convey cause or intensity.

tried to hide his anger

ire, more frequent in literary contexts, suggests an intense anger, often with an evident display of feeling.

cheeks flushed with ire

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

shook with rage

could not contain his fury

indignation stresses righteous anger at what one considers unfair, mean, or shameful.

a comment that caused general indignation

wrath is likely to suggest a desire or intent to punish or get revenge.

I feared her wrath if I was discovered

Examples of wrath in a Sentence

Noun

That winter it rained in Los Angeles for three months straight, as if I had brought with me a terrible wrath that somehow agitated the atmosphere, releasing a flood of rain. —Patrick Moore, Tweaked, 2006

… Reagan raised the bar for every political performer who followed. A president or presidential candidate now had to be smooth or suffer the wrath of the press. —Neal Gabler, Life: The Movie, 1998

More Wrath than Terror, has seized me. I am very mad. —John Adams 26 Apr. 1777, in The Book of Abigail and John,  1975

the wrath of the gods

waited until my initial wrath had eased before voicing my complaint

Adjective

… Take heed the Queen come not within his sight; / For Oberon is passing fell and wrath … —William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1596

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The county faced DeSantis’ wrath after local officials criticized his pro-development legislation and voters rejected his handpicked candidates at the ballot box in November 2024. — Liv Coleman, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026

Hawaii finds itself in the crosshairs again Hawaii has felt the wrath of two hurricanes over the past month. — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

The Dolphins would drive down the field to the Niners’ red zone before committing a penalty—or face the wrath of San Francisco’s vaunted front seven. — Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026

Some religious scholars in Saudi Arabia have preached against developing the area, claiming that its former inhabitants were struck down by the wrath of God. — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English wrǣththo, from wrāth wroth — more at wroth

Adjective

alteration of wroth

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1535, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wrath

• hath
• lath
• math
• path
• rath
• spath
• spathe
• strath
• aftermath
• multipath
• psychopath
• bloodbath

Kids Definition

wrath

noun

ˈrath

1

: violent anger

2

: punishment for sin or crime