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 Incurring the wrath of the fairy folk for spilling milk, that’s what. Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Particularly in the Premier League, eyes have been drawn to June 30 as a pseudo-transfer deadline day whereby desperate clubs must get business done or invoke the wrath of the authorities. Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025 But those weren’t the containers that brought the wrath of Stop Sales. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025 The court’s majority opined that criminalizing the payment put even routine campaign contributions at the risk of the federal government’s wrath. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wrath
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath
Noun
  • For those on the fringes of the fan protest, maintaining the anger to rally against those in charge probably becomes harder in those circumstances.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Rodgers said that Wong, during a psychological evaluation while in custody, denied having problems controlling his anger and said he’s never been verbally abusive, threatening or violent when angry.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Reserve duty is technically mandatory, though penalties for evasion often depend on the willingness of the direct commander to enforce punishment.
    Emily Rose, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Trump ordered his administration to remove millions of migrants without legal status and enforce stricter punishments on visa overstays.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Well, St James’ Park threatens to be another level entirely for Liverpool’s visit: a Bank Holiday Monday, under the floodlights, with Newcastle and their fans seething with indignation about Alexander Isak’s behaviour and Liverpool’s pursuit of him.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Chase resigned in indignation and took refuge at the League.
    Anne Halsey, JSTOR Daily, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Also, unlike last season, when the Madrid offensive players took turns, the 26-year-old is now formally in charge of taking penalties and direct free kicks.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Each of the 11 charges against the men carries the same maximum penalty of six years in prison, in addition to a $10,000 fine.
    Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In reaction to the report, Trump erupted in fury on Tuesday, lambasting Goldman CEO David Solomon and, without naming him, Hatzius.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Jacob Anderson tears into the undead flesh of the enemies who murdered his daughter, channeling his pain and fury into a series of increasingly gruesome vampiric assassinations.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 9 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • After a two-year spike during the pandemic and national outrage over police accountability, Chicago began to see a decline in homicides in 2022.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2025
  • And starting in 2026, the commission won’t be forced to sit through lengthy meetings fueled by outrage.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • With the center of that rage being homeless people.
    Brittany Luse, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
  • Reboots are all the rage, and no one does a reboot better than Disney.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • There was a mood of expectancy mingled with apprehension, and a sense of the audience holding its collective breath.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The seating defines the mood of the space—and these need to be as comfy as possible to enjoy your at-home big screen cramp-free.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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