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 Funny, eccentric and eager to tell a story, Sterling’s individuality sometimes drew the wrath of critics and listeners. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026 Her character joined several others who faced the wrath of Homelander and other villains. Staff Author, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026 The wrath of the government shortly followed. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026 Or risk the wrath of being on the wrong side. Dallas Morning News, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • The past has a way of forcing its way into the present through memory, guilt, shame, anger and, in many cases, emotional breakdowns.
    Jerry Colonna, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • The bipartisan support for the measure comes at a time when federal closures have become longer and more frequent, frustrating lawmakers who say there should be punishment when Congress fails at its most basic legislative duty.
    Joey Cappelletti, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • These justices have shown no particular alarm or regret over the sweeping attack on Black voting power that has followed their erosion of the VRA, displaying instead a haughty indignation that anyone would criticize their decisions or rationale.
    Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
  • Where is the indignation about this from politicians, community leaders and clergy?
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Remarkably, their five league draws this season have resulted from equalising goals conceded in the 96th, 92nd, 94th, 97th and 88th minutes, the last three of which — against Paris FC, Strasbourg and Nice — were all penalties.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • The company was hit with the maximum civil penalty of $5,000 per violation, totaling $375 million.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • That climaxes in a kaleidoscope of styles where Esteban, directing one scene, erupts in fury, reverting to a verbal and physical violence which Emilia obviously knew and suffered as child, Sorogoyen explains.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 16 May 2026
  • What’s that famous saying about hell hath no fury?
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2026
Noun
  • Our outrage, yours and mine, will not be to scale.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
  • For a Dodgers team already resented for buying up baseball with its massive payroll, watching its star closer stroll through a cockfighting pit in full uniform feels tailor-made to ignite outrage back home.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • High protein diets are all the rage nowadays—and for good reason.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 15 May 2026
  • Ménochet is a scary wonder as Marc, a great bear of a man who is chillingly adept at hiding his rage and possessiveness under the guise of a gentle, enlightened ascetic.
    Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • And the mood in the stands could not have been less connected with events on the pitch.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 18 May 2026
  • Cryotherapy chambers expose the body to extreme sub-zero temperatures for two to three minutes, while cold plunges rely on ice water for similar effects on muscle recovery, inflammation and mood.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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