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 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 Cree Summer joined Rugrats in its second season, voicing Susie Carmichael, an ally who often protects the tots from Angelica’s wrath. Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026 Today, District 24, now a smaller district with more people, still suffers the same wrath. Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • Their frustrations have ranged from anger over the tax incentives offered to certain projects to NIMBY-esque aesthetic concerns about acres upon acres of solar panels.
    Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • This recent incident has caused a great deal of anger and frustration among the Taiwanese artistic community and general public as news has circulated online widely this week.
    Vivienne Chow, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The defeat was followed by an ugly postgame brawl that ran counter to the positive vibes Argentina generated in 2022 and has since brought significant punishment.
    Asli Pelit, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • According to Norqain, the Wild ONE Skeleton Gecko is designed for precisely that kind of punishment.
    Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • On cue, China expressed indignation about anti-missile deployments.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Mind you, Miss Manners agrees with your indignation at this fraudulent maneuver.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • As part of the penalty for these crimes, Hickey has been ordered to post an apology video on social media.
    Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2026
  • On the next play, Jefferson threw the ball into the chest of a receiver at the one-yard line, only for another holding penalty to negate the play.
    Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • One can draw a direct connection between the fire-and-fury threat in 2017 and Trump’s friendly statements about North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in the past week.
    David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Gulf states may be open to such an approach despite their fury over Iran’s latest attacks; after all, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a rapprochement in 2023 after an earlier bout of Iranian aggression.
    MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The videos fueled public outrage and days of protests in Oakland, including marches from Fruitvale station into downtown.
    Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyydecided to name a military unit after a Ukrainian paramilitary organization accused of massacring Poles during World War II, causing outrage in Poland.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Buteau’s Coco makes off with a bit more meat on the bone, though her messy divorce, complicated relationship with her ex, and profound rage are too often leaned on as our Big!
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms range from feelings of rage or shame to thoughts of suicide.
    Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • New coach Matthias Jaissle’s brand of vertical football lifted the mood at Newcastle and caused Liverpool plenty of problems on a day when Yoane Wissa played like a man possessed.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Harry Gregson-Williams contributes another solid musical score that fits the mood perfectly.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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