WRATH Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wrath

noun

ˈrath

Definition of wrath

as in anger

an intense emotional state of displeasure with someone or something waited until my initial wrath had eased before voicing my complaint

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in punishment

suffering, loss, or hardship imposed in response to a crime or offense the evangelist warned the gathering that unrepentant sinners would suffer the wrath of God

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Cree Summer joined Rugrats in its second season, voicing Susie Carmichael, an ally who often protects the tots from Angelica’s wrath. — Madeline Boardman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Aug. 2026 Today, District 24, now a smaller district with more people, still suffers the same wrath. — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 Even Miami locals are guilty of thinking a tiny little cap will effectively shield their faces from the wrath of the flaming Florida sun. — Mariana Zapata, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026 Of course, the meeting between them all doesn’t go as planned, and the wrath of Francesca and the parents’ indifference leads only to more pain for Robbins. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath

Noun

Their frustrations have ranged from anger over the tax incentives offered to certain projects to NIMBY-esque aesthetic concerns about acres upon acres of solar panels.

— Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
This recent incident has caused a great deal of anger and frustration among the Taiwanese artistic community and general public as news has circulated online widely this week.

— Vivienne Chow, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

As part of the penalty for these crimes, Hickey has been ordered to post an apology video on social media.

— Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 21 Aug. 2026
On the next play, Jefferson threw the ball into the chest of a receiver at the one-yard line, only for another holding penalty to negate the play.

— Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of penalty

Noun

One can draw a direct connection between the fire-and-fury threat in 2017 and Trump’s friendly statements about North Korea’s Kim Jong Un in the past week.

— David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026
The Gulf states may be open to such an approach despite their fury over Iran’s latest attacks; after all, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a rapprochement in 2023 after an earlier bout of Iranian aggression.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of fury

Noun

Domestic grievances and outrage over Gaza make for a potent mix, and a wave of protest comparable to the uprisings of 15 years ago could again be on the horizon.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Within weeks of Porter’s death, ICE agents gunned down Renee Good and Alex Pretti in confrontations in Minneapolis, with both slayings drawing national outrage.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of outrage

Noun

Buteau’s Coco makes off with a bit more meat on the bone, though her messy divorce, complicated relationship with her ex, and profound rage are too often leaned on as our Big!

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Symptoms range from feelings of rage or shame to thoughts of suicide.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of rage

Noun

Fireplaces are stocked with fragrant piñon wood, making winter stays especially cozy, while silk covers conceal TVs and handmade Le Creuset dishware keep modern amenities from disrupting the mood.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
The real reach completely depends on the platform’s current-day algorithm (and mood).

— Phil Portman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of mood

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wrap-ups

wrath

wrathful

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“Wrath.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wrath. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of wrath

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