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 By banning a cruise ship full of American LGBTQ+ travelers from docking in its country’s ports, Turkish authorities have drawn the wrath of Broadway’s formidable Patti LuPone. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 3 July 2026 But some have faced pushback, including when two Boise men faced the wrath of their homeowners association for replacing their grass with turf, in part to save water. — Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2026 Part of the proposals would see Ofwat showing greater leniency towards Thames, whose performance has incurred the regulator's wrath on numerous occasions. — Ian King, CNBC, 1 July 2026 Or, faced with the wrath of the huge Baby Boom generation — who tend to be voters and vociferous — will Congress act in time? — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath

Noun

Jennifer Wedel, whose daughter graduated from Heritage Christian Academy, has been outspoken about her frustration and anger at Eric Crawford allowing his son to work around children.

— Rachel Royster July 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2026
Much of the public’s anger was directed at Syrskyi, who became a symbol of deeper frustrations that had accumulated within the military since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Questions about Smith’s guilt have always accompanied discussion of his punishment.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
But more people each year, including members of Congress, who are recognizing the economic violence, collective punishment and lethal human consequences of these sanctions and are pushing back.

— Mark Weisbrot, Twin Cities, 19 July 2026

Definition of punishment

Noun

Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
And Anne Hathaway, in a bravura performance, situates Penelope on an emotional precipice, caught between indecision and indignation, between yearning for her husband and a palpable disgust with the alternatives.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of indignation

Noun

Both could have added to their tallies by converting penalties over the past five weeks, but Messi has missed two during this World Cup and Mbappe one.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 18 July 2026
If convicted, the Henrichsens face a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of penalty

Noun

In the weeks before hostilities broke out, hardliners turned their fury on the leaders who signed the deal with the US.

— Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
The first sequence plays out with breathtaking suspense, the second with wrenching tragedy; the difference is calibrated by the composer Ludwig Göransson, whose score pulses with mournful dissonance and martial fury.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of fury

Noun

Video of police beating protesters and dragging them away spread on social media, fueling public outrage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Indian police briefly detained the country’s top opposition leader and his sister during a protest on Tuesday, as a fresh wave of public outrage puts pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of outrage

Noun

As wildfires rage across Canada and the American West, the announcement from federal forecasters that an El Niño warming is forming thousands of miles away in the tropical Pacific Ocean may offer some regions relief — next year, at least.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026
In a fit of rage a couple of nights later, Kimmel grabbed his father’s handgun, found the truck of bullies responsible, and blocked them in.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of rage

Noun

Pair them with everything from a simple tank to a sporty jersey, or take a cue from this guest, who leans into a playful mood with a matching polka-dot set and flip-flops.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 21 July 2026
Some of the most common include irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, mood changes, vaginal dryness, brain fog and joint pain as hormone levels begin to fluctuate, according to Mayo Clinic.

— Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of mood

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“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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