wrath

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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 So why has the New Haven Ivy—considered a bastion of liberalism for the past decade—felt none of his wrath? Clara Molot, Air Mail, 23 Aug. 2025 Incurring the wrath of the fairy folk for spilling milk, that’s what. Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Nothing is sacred, no one above their wrath. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025 Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay — best known for making contestants cry on TV — is bringing his culinary wrath to Saudi Arabia. Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • In the wake of a transfer deadline that brought anger and worry from many supporters, the Wolves chairman gave an interview of more than half an hour to the club’s in-house television channel.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Others echo the same sentiment, stressing that his anger is more than understandable.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That the Sky’s punishment will last longer than five minutes is merely a reflection of their place in the standings.
    Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Inter Miami players Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Tomas Aviles, and Seattle Sounders staff member Steven Lenhart, received multiple game suspensions from the 2026 Leagues Cup as punishment for their behavior during a post-game brawl following Sunday’s Leagues Cup final.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.
    Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Seven chapters in descending order structure the movie’s story as a countdown of hiccups, indignations, and even a hallucination, a day each in a pivotal week that will determine Teresa’s destiny.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors charged him with threatening a federal official and making threats to injure — felonies carrying maximum penalties of 10 and 20 years.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The referee threw a flag on the play, calling a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty on Tart.
    Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Implementing the necessary security measures for his arrival meant that the game was delayed by almost an hour—sparking fury among those waiting to be let in to the stadium.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • It’s set in a small-town community in upstate New York, where the long-gray-haired and bearded Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin) is the contempo version of a fire-and-brimstone cult leader, preaching fury in the form of piety.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Trump was made aware of the incident on Sunday and expressed outrage in a speech on Monday.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy?
    Khaleda Rahman Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At least 19 people died in protests in Nepal’s capital and other cities, after rage over a social-media shutdown and corruption led to violent clashes between the police and young demonstrators.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Genius dazzles down the ages, but so do fits of rage.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Perfectly roomy with a bit of effortless slouch for a relaxed feel, the Balance Bucket is available in both black and brown suede, plus black leather, to complement every mood and lifestyle.
    Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Wrought-iron bed frames and de-silvered mirrors play into the mood of a seaside inn.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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