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 Of course, the meeting between them all doesn’t go as planned, and the wrath of Francesca and the parents’ indifference leads only to more pain for Robbins. Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 Throughout Homer’s tale, Odysseus is repeatedly thwarted by divine wrath, nature and human fallibility. Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 23 July 2026 Vloggers who live in the US will just have to be happy with the Insta360 Luna Ultra, which is similar in concept and made by a Chinese company that has, to date, avoided the wrath of the FCC. Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 21 July 2026 The one god who periodically turns up, Zendaya’s Athena – supposedly Ulysses’ divine protector against the wrath of Zeus and Poseidon and all the rest – has surprisingly little to do in this version. Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • Many of his supporters harbor deep frustration and anger at the American for-profit healthcare system.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Schore makes a similar distinction when discussing workplace anger.
    Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Amy Edmondson’s work on psychological safety has helped leaders understand why employees need to be able to raise concerns, admit mistakes, and ask questions without fear of punishment or embarrassment.
    Brian Eason, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The punishment range age for each of the crimes is two to 20 years in prison.
    Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
  • And Anne Hathaway, in a bravura performance, situates Penelope on an emotional precipice, caught between indecision and indignation, between yearning for her husband and a palpable disgust with the alternatives.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Lawmakers have also drafted a bill to regulate traffic through the waterway, including restrictions on certain vessels and penalties for violators, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The measure also extends sanctions against Iran’s energy and weapons industries that were set to expire this year after a bipartisan deal was struck with Senate Democrats to pair the two economic penalties.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Inter of Italy and Spain’s Barcelona were possible destinations, but instead Campbell shocked English football and caused unimaginable consternation and fury… by joining Arsenal.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Cracking open the throttle with the top down delivers peak Ferrari Experience, with the V6 screaming with fury only very briefly interrupted by the loud pops of the upshifts.
    Jerry Perez, The Drive, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • However, viewers reacted to his video about the incident, often with outrage.
    Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Carrington may well receive some discipline from the league, but imagine the widespread outrage from WNBA media, players, coaches, and league staff if the situation was reversed?
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • In 2024, the artist added a fifth video, Keening, addressing collective mourning and rage after October 7, 2023, in which Hamas killed 1,200 Israelis and took 240 more hostage.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Furious at seeing piles of dead bodies, Wolverine unlocks a rage ability where his devastating attacks do even more damage.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But the mood coming out of Monday’s meeting was that a 20-team model will not be taken seriously.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The mood in the clubhouse before Monday’s game, before the team lost 10-6 to Tampa Bay, was upbeat with Walton’s aromatics burning in the background.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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