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 Columbia University was among the first colleges to face the wrath of Donald Trump, whose administration canceled $400 million of funding and arrested two student protesters. Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 This isn’t the first time Khan has faced the wrath of India’s Hindu right. Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025 But countries uncertain of how to protect themselves from Trump's economic wrath are starting to look elsewhere. Dave Lawler, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025 What does seem to be getting his attention is the increasing wrath that protesters are aiming at his electric car company, Tesla. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to …boffo box office!
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The focal point of our anger and pain may not even know we are hurt.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The solution lies in addressing our housing shortage, not punishment.
    David Bonaccorsi, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In cases of employment, housing, and public accommodation, by simply using one’s freedom of speech to utter a biologically factual pronoun, a person could find him or herself in the crosshairs of a Colorado Civil Rights Division investigation and punishment or possibly a lawsuit.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Smithsonian, the vast complex of museums that millions of Americans visit every year to see Lincoln’s top hat, the Spirit of St. Louis, Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a moon rock, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers, is at the center of the executive order’s indignation.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • According to Texas law, these charges can carry a penalty of up to $10,000 in fines and jail time of up to two years.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Two of his goals came from the penalty spot, while the other two both saw Surridge run onto a long ball beyond Chicago’s backline.
    Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s supporters responded to the ruling with fury, with some calling for the administration to ignore the emergency decision.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Daredevil wails on them with (non-lethal!) fury, whereas Frank… well, he is called The Punisher.
    Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • My colleagues are stumped as to the real reason why, as am I. This has been a hot topic in my field, and the outpouring of outrage and kindness has been overwhelming.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • My colleagues are stumped as to the real reason why, as am I. This has been a hot topic in my field and the outpouring of outrage and kindness has been overwhelming.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors allege that Read, 45, deliberately hit O’Keefe with her SUV in a drunken rage and left him to die in the snow in January 2022.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • If Episode 2 was the depiction of fire and uncontrollable rage — with Tommy flaming down an unrelenting monster known as a bloater, and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) torturing and killing Joel — Episode 3 is the opposite.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • It’s been linked to everything from lower stress to better mood, for starters.
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Almost all the picks were in, and the mood was light.
    Richard Deitsch, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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