Wrath

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ɹɒθ/, /ɹæθ/
• Rhymes: -ɒθ, -æθ
• US IPA: /ɹæːθ/, /ɹæθ/
• Rhymes: -æθ
• The pronunciation with the vowel IPA: /æ/ is regarded as incorrect by many.

Origin

From Middle English wraththe, wreththe, from Old English wrǣþþu, wrǣþþo ("wrath, fury"), from Proto-Germanic *wraiþiþō ("wrath, fury"), equivalent to wroth + -th. Compare Dutch wreedte ("cruelty"), Danish vrede ("anger"), Swedish vrede ("wrath, anger, ire"), Icelandic reiði ("anger"). More at wroth.

Full definition of wrath

Noun

1. Great anger.
   Homer relates an episode in the Trojan War that reveals the tragic consequences of the wrath of Achilles.
• 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 5, The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite....Can those harmless but refined fellow-diners be the selfish cads whose gluttony and personal appearance so raised your contemptuous wrath on your arrival?
2. (rare) Punishment.
• Bible, Romans xiii. 4A revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
3. (trading card games, slang) A single card that is able to destroy many creatures.

Synonyms

• (great anger) fury, ire

Derived terms

• grapes of wrath
• wrathful

Adjective

1. (rare) Wrathful; very angry.

Verb

1. (obsolete) To anger; to enrage.