wretched

adjective

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wretch·ed | \ ˈre-chəd

Definition of wretched

1 : deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed in body or mind

2 : extremely or deplorably bad or distressing was in wretched health a wretched accident

3a : being or appearing mean, miserable, or contemptible dressed in wretched old clothes

b : very poor in quality or ability : inferior wretched workmanship

Other Words from wretched Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About wretched

Examples of wretched in a Sentence

The slums were filled with poor, wretched children. I don't know what's wrong with her, but she looks wretched. families living in wretched poverty the wretched conditions of the refugee camp How did we get into this wretched state of affairs? What a wretched performance that was. That movie was positively wretched. See More

Recent Examples on the Web It’s a scene of bureaucratic hellishness about poverty’s wretched cycle of hopelessness that wouldn’t be out of place in a chilly Romanian satire. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2022 Eleanor showed her own family, especially her six children, while campaigning tirelessly on behalf of the wretched and the downtrodden. — Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2022 At that point, even after a crushing loss to the wretched Orlando Magic, the Cavaliers still had two games left. — Chris Fedor, cleveland, 9 Apr. 2022 In this wretched place, Mary managed to educate her children and find a path to freedom, moving them and herself to the free state of Pennsylvania with Robert’s blessing prior to the Civil War. — Kristen Green, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2022 News about the media business is, as usual, pretty wretched. — Ryan Cooper, The Week, 7 Oct. 2021 The Sandinistas’ political prisoners are kept in wretched conditions. — Nr Editors, National Review, 17 Feb. 2022 Last season, the Wolverines won 70-53 in West Lafayette behind Isaiah Livers' double-double and Purdue's wretched offense. — Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Feb. 2022 That performance was only good enough because Oklahoma City is wretched, losers of 10 of the last 11. — Chris Fedor, cleveland, 23 Jan. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wretched.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.