noun
Common
wrath
roth
Wrath (noun) means Intense anger, often with a desire for revenge. Example: “The villagers feared the king's wrath.”
noun
1
Intense anger, often with a desire for revenge.
"The villagers feared the king's wrath."
"She braced herself for her mother's wrath when the vase shattered."
"Nobody wanted to face the teacher's wrath after the classroom was left in a mess."
How to use wrath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtreme anger, often implying punishment will follow.
When to use it
A fairly literary or dramatic word — used far more often in writing than in casual speech, where "anger" or "fury" is more natural.
Common pairings
incur someone's wrath
the wrath of God
unleash wrath
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like wrath.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- wraths
- Third person singular
- wraths
- Past tense
- wrathed
- Comparative
- more wrath
- Superlative
- most wrath
- Archaic forms
- wrathest, wrathedst, wratheth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The villagers feared the king's _____.
Etymology
From Old English wrǣþþu, built on the adjective "wroth" ("angry") plus a suffix forming abstract nouns — much like "warmth" from "warm."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for wrath
See all rhymes for wrath →Frequently asked questions
What does “wrath” mean?
The word “wrath” means intense anger, often with a desire for revenge. In plain terms, extreme anger, often implying punishment will follow.
How do you pronounce “wrath”?
“Wrath” is pronounced roth (/ɹæθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wrath” in a sentence?
Here is “wrath” used in a sentence: “The villagers feared the king's wrath.”
What part of speech is “wrath”?
“Wrath” is a noun.
Where does the word “wrath” come from?
The word “wrath” comes from Old English. From Old English wrǣþþu, built on the adjective "wroth" ("angry") plus a suffix forming abstract nouns — much like "warmth" from "warm.".
Is “wrath” a common word?
“Wrath” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between wrath and anger?
Anger is a general term for feeling upset or annoyed, while wrath specifically describes intense anger, often paired with a desire for revenge or punishment. Wrath carries a more forceful, literary, or biblical tone than everyday anger.
Is wrath a formal or literary word?
Yes, wrath is typically used in formal, literary, or dramatic contexts rather than casual conversation. It appears frequently in religious texts, poetry, and classic literature to describe powerful, often righteous anger.
What is the difference between wrath and rage?
Rage often describes a sudden, uncontrolled outburst of anger, while wrath suggests a more sustained, intense anger that may include a desire for retribution. Wrath is also somewhat more formal and old-fashioned in tone than rage.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include wrath:
