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 Markets are expecting the Fed to maintain its pause on cuts, a move that would deprive them of stimulus following two weeks of sizable losses and that could incur the wrath of Trump. Tobias Burns, The Hill, 18 Mar. 2025 Not Choosing Your Trees Wisely The shade of a giant oak certainly has its appeal, but planting one on a five-foot stretch of earth separating your driveway from your neighbor’s is ill-advised and a surefire way to feel the wrath of the family who lives next door. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2025 Congressional Republicans were not inclined to deny Hegseth his appointment or to risk the President’s wrath. David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025 Lawmakers have faced the wrath of those against federal agency and budget cuts overseen by the advisory Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by executive order and led by Elon Musk. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • So, Joe comes in with a lot of hostility, a lot of anger, a lot of rage for what happened.
    Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Aggression For some individuals, the turmoil following a breakup can give rise to an inexplicable burst of anger.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The solution lies in addressing our housing shortage, not punishment.
    David Bonaccorsi, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • In cases of employment, housing, and public accommodation, by simply using one’s freedom of speech to utter a biologically factual pronoun, a person could find him or herself in the crosshairs of a Colorado Civil Rights Division investigation and punishment or possibly a lawsuit.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The Smithsonian, the vast complex of museums that millions of Americans visit every year to see Lincoln’s top hat, the Spirit of St. Louis, Harriet Tubman’s shawl, a moon rock, and Dorothy’s ruby slippers, is at the center of the executive order’s indignation.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In a moment of feigned indignation, Sandler threatened to storm out of the ceremony, which prompted O'Brien to apologize for his attack.
    Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The failure-to-file penalty corresponds to 5 percent of unpaid taxes per month or partial month, according to the agency, capped at 25 percent.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Asensio was responsible for a second penalty miss in stoppage time but McGinn, Rogers’ 85th-minute replacement and, in some ways, mentor, stole in to bury the rebound.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Rather than working himself into a fury with alcohol, Lennon became more demonstrably affectionate and embraced the act of embracing.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The red end credits fit Gemma's shock and fury perfectly.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • My colleagues are stumped as to the real reason why, as am I. This has been a hot topic in my field and the outpouring of outrage and kindness has been overwhelming.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
  • My colleagues are stumped as to the real reason why, as am I. This has been a hot topic in my field, and the outpouring of outrage and kindness has been overwhelming.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The year is 2025 and ninjas are once again all the rage.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025
  • Seems like podcasts are all the rage these days, so what makes Tracy's any different?
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Recently, the mood in higher ed has shifted from introspective to panicked.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • And when Angela asks about how Brit lost her license—likely looking for clarity, not conflict—the mood shifts fast.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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