wrought
2 of 2past tense and past participle of work
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The Uses of Wrought
Wrought may function as the past or the past participle form of the verb work. While not as common as it once was, this past-tense form still is encountered in such combinations as "wrought havoc." Since "wreak havoc" is also a familiar pairing, many people assume that wrought is the past tense of wreak, but the two are actually distinct. Although it still exists as a verb, wrought is more often used today as an adjective, a role in which it has a number of meanings. Most of these are found referring to things or materials which have been in some way worked by people (as in wrought iron or "carefully wrought prose"), but one sense ("deeply stirred") is typically used in describing emotions. When employed in this sense, wrought is often found paired with up (as in "he found himself wrought up over the news").
Examples of wrought in a Sentence
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
His mural features the vibrant colors of sugar skulls, marigolds and Mexican dancers along with iconic La Colonia scenes such as the wrought iron archway, the Heritage Museum with its flowering trellis, St. Leo’s Church—there’s even a skateboarder getting air at the skate park.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
This specific creation, completed in 1917, is a love letter to the Spanish Renaissance, blending the rustic charm of a European country house with ornate Plateresque details—think arched windows, intricate wrought iron, and a grand entrance that feels equal parts palace and movie set.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 May 2025
Still, such moments were far more wrought and sporadic.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Follow shaded flagstone paths past quiet nooks ringed with wrought iron benches and walls of greenery.
—Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
The steps to the quaint K-8 campus were left standing, along with the sign on the wrought iron gate.
—Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
Only a few wrought iron fences and chimneys remained standing.
—Matteo Moschella, NBC News, 12 Jan. 2025
After the original, there was a 400-pound ball created that was made of wrought iron.
—Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 27 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Wrought.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrought. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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