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 Hawaii finds itself in the crosshairs again Hawaii has felt the wrath of two hurricanes over the past month. — John Raby, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 The Dolphins would drive down the field to the Niners’ red zone before committing a penalty—or face the wrath of San Francisco’s vaunted front seven. — Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026 Some religious scholars in Saudi Arabia have preached against developing the area, claiming that its former inhabitants were struck down by the wrath of God. — Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 But within this storytelling paradigm, Adnani imbues each scene with a dramatic wrath bubbling just beneath the surface. — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrath

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wrath

Noun

We are connected across continents in milliseconds, but too often separated by fear, anger, and mistrust.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
For property owners who poured their life savings into Camelot, the arrival of heavy machinery brings mounting anger over how local authorities handled the complex's long, troubled decline.

— La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Neither White, Belcher nor Thompson — or KU’s athletic department — risk punishment if the players compete in games.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Six states were responsible for the 31 executions in 2026 — even though 27 states still legally allow the most severe form of punishment in this country.

— Nate Perez, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of punishment

Noun

Along with his signature rapid-fire, garrulous dialogue, Sorkin’s tendency for self-righteous indignation is very much in evidence.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
But a new wave of indignation swept Spain when Abascal, who uses a wheelchair, was carried on a stretcher from her apartment after police cordoned off the street.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of indignation

Noun

The details of the allegations, which disclosed how fraternity members used a Snapchat group chat to discuss the woman and events at the party with openly crude language, sparked fury across the nation.

— Elissa Nadworny, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
But the North previously reacted with fury to major defections of its citizens, accusing South Korea of kidnapping them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of fury

Noun

Djrum is the rare DJ who operates almost entirely outside the world of genre; his sets swing from breakcore to IDM, jungle to techno, garage to field recordings to—well—whatever, really, depending on mood.

— Ben Cardew, Pitchfork, 17 Oct. 2026
Obviously, the mood has shifted around this college town thanks to the Hoosiers winning last year's CFP title, along with having a head coach in Curt Cignetti who has turned this program into a football juggernaut in just two years.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of wrath

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