wretchedness

noun

Definition of wretchednessnext
1
as in misery

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2
as in baseness

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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 wretchedness As our cantankerous lead, Molina harumphs lovably from scene to scene, conveying both his character’s indomitable will and the wretchedness of his grief. — Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026 Director Penny Lane interviews jazz critics who howl at his wretchedness, then balances it with fans who simply don’t care. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wretchedness
  1. misery
  2. baseness
  3. destitution
  4. meanness
  5. poverty
  6. miserableness
  7. woe
  8. criminality
Noun
  • The misery of the situation could feel overwhelming, even cruel, but Cahyono’s observation of Sumiati’s struggles is humane and sympathetic.
    — Kambole Campbell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • For Palestinians, the anniversary brings another day of fear and misery.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of misery
Noun
  • The horror has come now like a storm— what if this night prefigured the night after death— what if all thereafter was an eternal quivering on the edge of an abyss, with everything base and vicious in oneself urging one forward and the baseness and viciousness of the world just ahead.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026
Definition of baseness
Noun
  • The disagreement, then, is not over whether government should prevent destitution in old age.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Becoming a YouTuber had seemed like a way for Chism to stop sliding toward destitution.
    — Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of destitution
Noun
  • Don’t give in to that meanness, and that false belief in scarcity.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Amid so much belabored meanness, meager appeals to conscience scan more like self-conscious obligation, easily subsumed by impotence.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of meanness
Noun
  • If the main predictor of racial disparities in prison is poverty, then denouncing police and prosecutors as racist won't shrink those gaps.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The result was 90% of farmers in the country living in poverty with virtually all of them drinking unclean water.
    — Adam Duxter, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of poverty
Noun
  • Luke and Kristen squabble for the entirety of the trip, which only adds to its miserableness.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 18 June 2026
Definition of miserableness
Noun
  • The Panthers’ early season power play woes continued, going 0 for 5 with the man advantage on Saturday to start the campaign 1 for 28 overall.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Regardless, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has been busy addressing the offensive unit’s woes.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of woe
Noun
  • Van Houten ultimately determined the allegations did not warrant charges because of a lack of criminality.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Law enforcement officials are investigating, but the NYPD said there is no criminality at this time.
    — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of criminality

Browse Nearby Words

wretchedly
wretchedness
wretches
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Cite this Entry

“Wretchedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wretchedness. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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