Definition of wrathnext
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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 Instead of targeting Watson, several of those same fans should’ve saved their wrath and looked in the mirror. Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Brown gave up a quick pressure that resulted in Burrow feeling the wrath. Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 These healthcare workers, serving images of themselves to the internet and its inevitable wrath, are providing testimony where Fauci will not. Alessandra Hirsch, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 This Raging Bull’s additional wrath necessitated some styling cues to address that fact. Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • As a result, water is often scarce, and small protests have erupted, despite the fear of being detained, as anger and frustration boil over.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Hundreds of protesters rallied outside Israel’s embassy in Bangkok, demanding that foreign visitors — especially Israelis — stop flouting Thai laws and customs as anger over tourist misconduct spills into the streets.
    Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Likewise, many people believed that Silver would avoid imposing a harsh punishment on Ballmer, or that the investigators would evade asking tough questions.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Knight considered a punishment range of five to 99 years, or life.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Cancer Rising September begins with you very much waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but your indignation might just be the thing that saves you in the end.
    Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
  • On cue, China expressed indignation about anti-missile deployments.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Not to mention, the Seahawks left plenty of room for growth, whether that’s cleaning up pre-snap penalties or being more explosive as an offense.
    Andrew Destin, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Warriors defense hurt themselves with two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the drive.
    Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • But what’s especially interesting is the intensity with which Chad Powers approaches Gerry’s fury and eccentricities.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Ezra Acayan / Getty Images Children in Nuwakot and ​Rasuwa areas are increasingly showing signs of psychological distress after witnessing the fury of the flood last week, international charity Save the Children said in a statement.
    Reuters, NBC news, 2 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The public outrage over data centers, which the Post said has inspired 375 bills in state legislatures so far, embodies a concern far beyond their voracious demands for land, electricity and water.
    Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The league did this because its leadership became more sensitive to fan and media outrage.
    Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Related 'Ask Us Anything' Stories Do rage workouts really help to blow off steam?
    Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Once the two men start working together, the combination of Ploughman’s crushing grief and Tyler’s populist rage illustrates the two factors that shaped the revolt.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Still, with new coach Mike Babcock on board and two of the best players in the NHL to lead the way, fans are in a generally good mood.
    Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The plant contains mescaline, a psychoactive compound that alters perception and mood, sharpening the senses and amplifying feelings of empathy and connection.
    Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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