WRATH Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wrath

noun

ˈrath

Definition of wrath

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something waited until my initial wrath had eased before voicing my complaint

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in punishment

suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense the evangelist warned the gathering that unrepentant sinners would suffer the wrath of God

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Lee’s film is motivated less by anger and more by curiosity, compassion and a general confusion, as no one quite knows how to behave or feel or just be.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
In politics—according to Berman and, by extension, Longwell—the most convincing arguments play to love, sympathy, greed, fear, and anger.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of anger

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

Definition of indignation

Noun

The House is embarking on its last days in session before breaking for the midterms, with a final vote expected Wednesday on a bill ratcheting up penalties on Russia.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Monday voted against commuting Norman’s sentence to a lesser penalty or recommending a 90-day reprieve of execution.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of penalty

Noun

So then and now, whether a female serial killer has no reason or good reason to commit murder, the patriarchy is desperate to punish her; to put her back in her place; to bury her in her own fury.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026
The film follows its hero from fens to road and road to London, then London toward the forest—as private grief grows into collective fury and fury reaches the gates of power.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of fury

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

Definition of outrage

Noun

Right now, sensory toys are all the rage, so consider adding these $7 squishy toys to your cart.

— Anja Webb, Parents, 15 Sep. 2026
This was right in the peak of Elon Musk’s reconstruction of Twitter, privileging rage bait and engagement tactics that helped misinformation disseminate like fact.

— Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of rage

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

Definition of mood

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wrap-ups

wrath

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“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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