wrath
RATH
/ræθ/
Extreme, vengeful, or punitive anger.
Carries majestic, solemn, or epic gravity, often associated with divine judgment or powerful authority executing punishment.
The story behind the word. Tracing back to Proto-Germanic '*wraithaz' (twisted or crooked), Old English 'wrāþ' originally described something physically twisted before shifting to mean an emotionally twisted, harsh, or vengeful state of mind.
Word relationships
- vengeance: Vengeance is the act of payback; wrath is the deep, punitive anger driving that payback.
- mercy: Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone who could be punished.
Commonly confused with
- wreath: A wreath is a circular arrangement of flowers or leaves; wrath is intense, punitive anger.
Word family
- wrathful (adjective): Full of wrath; fierce.
- wrathfully (adverb): In a wrathful manner.
Collocations
- wrath of God
- incur the wrath
- wreak wrath
- divine wrath
Idioms & expressions
- wrath of Khan
- grapes of wrath
Example sentences
- "In the eyes of the hungry there is a growing wrath." Classic American literature
- "The rebel army faced the full wrath of the empire upon their defeat." Epic historical narrative
Memory hook
WRATH rhymes with PATH—clear the path or face divine wrath! Twisted emotion bent on punishment.
When not to use
Avoid in casual daily conversations (e.g., 'I felt wrath when I dropped my spoon').
Fun facts
- 'Wrath' is historically related to the verb 'wring' and 'wrestle', all stemming from roots meaning to twist or turn.
Explore more words
vengeance, retribution, avenge, vindictive, punitive, solemn
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