Definition of wretch
1 : a miserable person : one who is profoundly unhappy or in great misfortune
2 : a base, despicable, or vile person
From the M-W Editors
Examples of wretch in a Sentence
The poor wretch lost his job.
the clerk was an ungrateful wretch who stole money from his employer's cash register
Recent Examples of wretch from the Web
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One of the police said, ‘Let these wretches suffer.
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Only an actor of Hoffman's caliber could've imbued such a wretch with that sort of complexity, even dignity.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wretch'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology 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
WRETCH Defined for English Language Learners
wretch
playDefinition of wretch for English Language Learners
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: a very unhappy or unlucky person
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: a very bad or unpleasant person
WRETCH Defined for Kids
wretch
playDefinition of wretch for Students
1 : a miserable unhappy person
2 : a very bad person You're an ungrateful wretch.
Learn More about wretch
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See words that rhyme with wretch Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wretch Spanish Central: Translation of wretch Nglish: Translation of wretch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wretch for Arabic speakers
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