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 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 Brown gave up a quick pressure that resulted in Burrow feeling the wrath. — Gladys Louise Tyler, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • With seven months left in his term, Macron’s approval ratings are near record lows, driven by anger over the rising cost of living and criticism of France’s growing debt and deficit and deteriorating public services.
    — Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Sadness and anger do not fully capture how our agency feels today.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Different views on the topic Critics of the article’s comparison argue that Barrera’s case was not simply a punishment for supporting Palestinians.
    — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Jolly has called for a new requirement that officers obtain a warrant from a judge before accessing Flock camera footage, while Donalds is pushing for harsher punishments to deter misuse.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 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 Future of Football The NFL has introduced stricter concussion protocols, penalties for high-risk tackles, as well as better gear and cutting full-contact practice to once a week.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The ordinance, which passed in a 4-3 vote, tightens rules for how personal electric vehicles can be operated, including where they can be ridden, speed restrictions, equipment requirements and penalties for violations.
    — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The most potent force in American politics is anti-establishment fury at a system seen as rigged against average working people.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Continue reading … -- POLITICS BALLOT BOX DIVIDE — El-Sayed’s Jewish outreach ignites ‘tokenism’ fury as Michigan GOP chair makes bold prediction.
    — , FOXNews.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Images of the eviction spread widely across Spain, fueling outrage and criticism of public authorities and real estate investment companies accused of pricing residents out of their homes.
    — Alicia León, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Much of the outrage pivoted on the film’s disinterest in accuracy, from the new wave romantic soundtrack to the American accents.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 26 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
  • This new mood – a narrower, harsher definition of religious truth – had been brewing since the Reformation movement took hold in Britain around a hundred years earlier.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Shop it on Amazon to get in the sweater-weather mood, and scroll through to shop more of my Phlur favorites, including the decadent Heavy Cream Body Mist and the vacay-ready body oil with glow-boosting shimmer.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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