wrath

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 Backup Spurs center Luke Kornet’s minutes have offered an opening this series — mostly a break from Wembanyama’s wrath. Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 29 May 2026 There are the victims, their families, and lives left shattered because of a single person’s vicious wrath. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026 Barely a decade after Hatch faced widespread wrath for his relatively tame antics, Hantz was celebrated. Shaan Merchant, Rolling Stone, 20 May 2026 One of the most significant was the hurdle of engineering the enclave to harmonize with nature to resist the wrath of disasters, says Syd Kitson, founder and visionary behind Babcock Ranch. Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • But anger is only an occasionally riveting spice in this show, not the dominant emotion.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 19 June 2026
  • The decision against Rong Chhun, a top adviser to the Nation Power Party, was met with anger by supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court complex in Phnom Penh.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 June 2026
Noun
  • Guéhi avoided punishment, though the FA prohibits players from displaying religious messages.
    ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026
  • The team did not immediately respond to an email asking who the players were, whether the players would speak to Fox News and whether there would be further punishment for the players.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Many expressed indignation that a climate-friendly clothing brand would appear to go after a beloved climate activist.
    Brittany Peterson, Fortune, 12 June 2026
  • Others use their out-of-office emails to either apologize profusely for time away or highlight their indignation at being tied to work or the internet in the first place.
    Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Noun
  • The government recently announced another recruitment drive, offering to pay off debts of up to $140,000 for men who sign up and might otherwise face penalties for defaulting.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Under Florida law, a first-time DUI conviction can carry penalties that include fines, probation, community service and a driver's license suspension, though any potential penalties in this case would depend on the outcome of court proceedings.
    Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Before the agreement was announced, Israeli forces struck in Beirut, enraging Trump, who has publicly expressed his fury with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 15 June 2026
  • Yet for those who have watched the events of recent years with grief and fury, cheering on a team that represents the Islamic Republic feels, to some, like an act of complicity.
    Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • Soon after, Joslin posted on social media expressing outrage, and the story gained traction online.
    Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
  • The 2023 property tax valuation cycle — and to a lesser extent, the 2024 and 2025 cycles — have been the subject of widespread outrage in Jackson County, with skyrocketing property values alarming homeowners and business owners alike.
    Ilana Arougheti June 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • Still social media rage is still engagement of sorts, and the company no doubt raised awareness of its 20th anniversary.
    Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2026
  • Jackie's soon-to-be mother-in-law channels all her resentment and rage into breaking up her son's engagement by becoming an absolute terror.
    Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Fans of both teams showed up in a good mood and the weather, which looked threatening before kickoff, held up.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
  • The mood among players in the mixed zone was telling.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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