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wrathful

C1
adjective

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rˈæθfəl/

US

  • /ˈræθfəl/adjective

Description

To be wrathful is to feel or show very strong anger. It is more than just being mad. It suggests deep rage and sometimes a wish to punish someone or get revenge. You might describe a villain as wrathful as they plan revenge, or use it for a god, king, or other powerful figure in a story.

The word has an old, serious feel and often appears in religious, literary, or dramatic writing. It is not common in everyday conversation. A wrathful look can feel more frightening than shouted words.

Examples

  1. 1

    Personal anger

    She gave him a wrathful look after he interrupted her again.

  2. 2

    Serious authority

    The judge replied in a wrathful voice that silenced the room.

    • Usage

      wrathful is formal and more common in serious or literary English than in everyday speech

  3. 3

    Mythic punishment

    In the old tale, a wrathful god punishes the city for breaking its promise.

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • wrathfuladjective