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 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
Noun
  • Sodom and Gomorrah have long stood as paradigm cases of crime and punishment.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Often, his sister said, Isaiah was kept chained up overnight as punishment and left to urinate or defecate on himself.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • This hampers several of my favorite performances, especially Harper, whose Ben is full of sarcastic indignation, and June Laporte as Ginny, an aspiring reporter in need of proper mentoring.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Both our indignation when the wicked flourish and our sorrow when the righteous suffer have their source in this assumption.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026
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
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
Noun
  • But if the decision — and, by then, Sheeran’s response to it — has ignited outrage online, there was little of it to be found inside the stadium.
    Anna Tingley, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The assault inspired worldwide outrage; the International Court of Justice demanded an immediate halt.
    Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The first word of the book is rage and then things escalate from there.
    Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
  • There’s an untamed rage that constantly boils underneath his surface.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • That tracks with the broader hair mood of 2026, which has shifted toward polish with a more personalized finish.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026
  • One more try and the orchestra slides up the expressive contrast a few notches to intensify the feeling of lurching from mood to mood.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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