wrath

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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 This disease shall hold me back no longer, the world will know my wrath. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 Winter's wrath continues with another cold spell predicted for mid-February. Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025 Kristen Bell caught the wrath of online critics for a three-sentence message shared to commemorate her anniversary with husband Dax Shephard. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 After a soggy weekend, Arizona is finally getting some relief from Priscilla’s wrath. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • The thumping Republicans took in this week's elections reflected longer-running anger among constituencies that already leaned Democratic, but the GOP needs to worry that the government shutdown will cause that frustration to spread.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • And that is why my first true voice—the one that could hold complexity, contradiction, grief, even anger—came in English.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Hence, taking them away is an appropriate punishment.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
  • But if the thought of freezing cold isolation and bunk pods sounds more like punishment than adventure, Mongolia’s Gobi already offers glimpses of the otherworldly in a far more comfortable setting.
    Rosanna Philpott, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Miss Universe President expresses 'Great indignation' Rocha began his statement by expressing solidarity with the 122 delegates before criticizing Nawat's actions.
    Paula Soria, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
  • This explains the indignation of those carrying college debt who demanded Joe Biden make their loans go away.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Campaign ads, showing images of flash-mob robberies, promised voters that harsher penalties would put an end to basic items being locked away in display cases and funnel people repeatedly arrested for drug offenses in treatment.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • If convicted, a person could face between 10 and 25 years in prison, depending on who the person is to the child and whether the child has a disability, among other factors that could increase penalties.
    Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • O’Neil was in advanced discussions over taking on a second stint in charge in the Midlands in a move that prompted inevitable, predictable and understandable fury in some quarters.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • Järvi presented these three pieces at Carnegie, but in a way that emphasized their inner tensions and hidden furies.
    Alex Ross, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Huda issues an apology after downplaying the incident After initially downplaying the outrage over her reaction, Mustafa posted another statement on Wednesday publicly apologizing to Carthen.
    Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
  • If KitKat, the beloved feline hit on Monday, had been struck by a human driver, the outrage would’ve been relatively tempered.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Why was right tackle Larry Borom back on the field immediately after his false start turned a 4th and 1 into a 4th and 6, triggering a rare public display of rage by McDaniel, before Riley Patterson missed a 35-yard field goal?
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Now free, Alma’s emaciated, adult form wanders the world, unending rage bent on revenge.
    Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • It’s easily skewed by recent events, your mood, and invisible biases.
    Big Think, Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Set the mood with multiple candles in rustic holders and a simple, neutral centerpiece.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.

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