wrath

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'wrath' is a correct and usable word in written English, and it has a few different possible meanings.
You can use the word 'wrath' to refer to a strong feeling of anger, or to describe someone or something as being very harsh or severe. For example, you could say: "When Sarah found out that her boyfriend had cheated on her, she felt an uncontrollable wrath."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Challenging the choices of peoples will only result in fuelling the feelings of despair and generate waves of wrath," he told an international conference on Democracy and Development in the capital, Doha, in April.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet it is not as if he didn't try before polling day, both in private discussion, policy papers and - most blatantly - via a media briefing bounce which brought the 2009 conference's wrath down on his head.

The Guardian - Opinion

Almost two years after being hit with a £290m fine for rigging the Libor rate, Barclays is now facing the wrath of regulators again, this time for almost 10 years of inadequate oversight of the setting of the price of gold, known as the fix.

The Guardian - Business

The coalition has made forging strong economic links with China a priority, even incurring the wrath of Washington by signing up to Beijing's plans for a new Asian infrastructure investment bank.

The Guardian - Business

Dawes, who booted two goals, then collected Jack Ziebell in the fourth term to earn the wrath of the majority of the 17,174-strong crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

Employment discrimination increased the wrath of locals against Assad's regime: Alawites dominated government jobs at the expense of Sunni majority who felt like slaves.

The Guardian

The fear of their families facing the wrath of the traffickers is driving some to find quicker ways of repaying their debt.

The Guardian

Jonny and the Baptists The musical-comedy double act who famously inspired the wrath of Ukip last year are now embarking on their pre-general election Rock the Vote tour, offering discount tickets for first-time voters.

The Guardian

The film, in which Seth Rogen and James Franco are sent to assassinate Kim Jong-un, incurred the wrath of the North Korean authorities and was transformed from an otherwise unremarkable comedy into one of the most talked-about movies of 2014.

The Guardian

I was hoping that my status as an alumnus, my fundraising track record with Amref (African Medical & Research Foundation) and the fact that I had bravely faced pre-marital wrath to take the interview, would outweigh my woeful knowledge of the higher education sector.

The Guardian

There seemed to be as many people in the streets of Pompeii as there must have been in AD79 when the wrath of Mount Vesuvius descended upon the inhabitants.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "wrath" to describe the consequences of actions, implying a form of punishment or retribution that stems from intense anger. It adds a dramatic element to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "wrath" to describe mild annoyance or frustration. Its intensity can sound melodramatic in contexts that don't warrant such strong language. Choose milder alternatives like "irritation" or "displeasure" for everyday grievances.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wrath" is as a noun, typically referring to intense anger or indignation. As shown by Ludwig AI, "wrath" often appears as the object of a verb (e.g., 'incur the wrath', 'unleash the wrath').

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "wrath" denotes intense anger, often implying retribution or consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While "wrath" effectively conveys strong displeasure, it's important to avoid overuse in everyday situations where milder terms would suffice. Alternatives like "ire", "fury", or "indignation" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance. Therefore, the use of "wrath" should be reserved for situations where the anger is truly significant and warrants a powerful, formal expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ire

Synonym of wrath but less frequently used in contemporary speech.

extreme anger

Replaces "wrath" with a more descriptive and common term, focusing on the intensity of the anger.

intense fury

Emphasizes the uncontrolled and violent nature of the anger, similar to "wrath".

righteous indignation

Highlights the moral justification behind the anger, adding a layer of perceived correctness.

divine retribution

Focuses on the punitive aspect of "wrath", particularly in a religious or mythological context.

burning rage

Uses a vivid metaphor to describe the intensity and consuming nature of the anger.

fierce resentment

Highlights the prolonged and deeply felt anger, suggesting a lingering sense of injustice.

outburst of anger

Shifts the focus to the sudden and uncontrolled expression of anger.

enraged state

Describes the condition of being filled with intense anger.

the force of public anger

Specifically indicates anger expressed by the public, instead of just personal anger.

FAQs

How can I use "wrath" in a sentence?

You can use "wrath" to describe intense anger or the consequences of such anger. For instance, "The king unleashed his wrath on the traitors", or "The country faced the wrath of the hurricane".

What are some words similar to "wrath"?

Alternatives to "wrath" include "ire", "fury", and "indignation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wrath" a formal or informal word?

"Wrath" is generally considered a formal word, often used in literature, religious texts, or serious news reports. In everyday conversation, alternatives like "anger" or "rage" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "wrath" and "anger"?

"Wrath" implies a more intense and often vengeful form of anger than simply "anger". "Anger" is a general term, while "wrath" suggests a deep-seated and potentially destructive rage.