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 But within this storytelling paradigm, Adnani imbues each scene with a dramatic wrath bubbling just beneath the surface. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 Despite Erasmus’s wrath, the Renaissance cut-and-pasters were on a roll—for a while. — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 There are a couple of shocking narrative twists at the end, with Alice potentially unleashing her wrath, and the revelation of Catherine’s role in Isabel’s death. — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • Republican lawmakers -- many of them in tough election contests where soaring fuel costs are driving voter anger -- praised the agreement.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The defeat came amid protests sparked by an elderly woman’s eviction, and could deepen public anger and fuel speculation about early elections.
    — Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Immigration detention centers are designed to hold individuals awaiting decisions in their civil immigration cases, not as punishment for a crime.
    — Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • His punishments were focused on learning from the experience, according to documents filed in his subsequent lawsuit.
    — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The fact that some people are saying these things is coming from indignation.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • One target has a disability; another turns out to be a rabbi, who responds to his confrontation with suitably Talmudic indignation.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Trump administration officials in his first term were alleged to have repeatedly violated the Hatch Act with no penalty.
    — Alayna Treene, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Forward Brady Tkachuk, Florida’s major offseason acquisition, had one shot on goal and two penalty minutes in his Panthers debut.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In the midst of her fury and rage, Fatiha prays for her father’s safe return.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Explore See latest videos, charts and news The rocker, wearing a cap and aviator glasses, was joined with a full band and backing vocalists for a protest song that drips in fury and anger.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In 1995, the rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US servicemen unleashed outrage and mass protests in Okinawa.
    — Junko Ogura, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Jemele Hill noted that Peyton Manning, Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Myles Garrett and Marshawn Lynch were among the prominent sports figures who had participated in Wallen’s concert entrances without generating comparable outrage.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Women primarily look for feel-good underwear, the no-bra movement is still kicking and shapewear has entered the lingerie space solidly, while undergarments as ready-to-wear and boudoir dressing were all the rage this season.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The environment around Venus at the top of the month is pointed, confrontational, and probably a bit rage-inducing.
    — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • What this means, in practical terms, is that the songs on Beat elevate mood above structure.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • By evening, the Moon enters Leo and lifts the mood, bringing warmth, confidence, and a little more heart back into the picture.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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