Word
wrath
Phoneticswrath
US/ˈɹæθ/
UK/ɹˈæθ/
Definitions
01extreme anger
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal · Literary
n. very strong anger that is often expressed through punishment.
n. intense, often righteous anger; frequently used in literary or religious contexts to describe the fury of a deity or a powerful authority.
“The villagers feared the wrath of the king after they refused to pay the new tax.”
“The epic poem describes how the hero eventually succumbed to the wrath of the gods, suffering years of misfortune for his pride.”
Usage
Often used in the construction 'the wrath of' followed by a person or entity.
Teaching tip
This is a high-register word; in everyday conversation, 'anger' or 'fury' is much more common.
Antonyms
02punishment or vengeance
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal · Literary
n. the punishment or bad things that happen because someone is very angry.
n. retribution or vengeance resulting from deep-seated anger.
“The storm was so violent that some people thought it was divine wrath.”
“The whistleblower faced the full wrath of the corporation's legal team, who filed multiple lawsuits to silence him.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'to incur someone's wrath'.
Teaching tip
Learners should note that this sense focuses on the consequences of the anger rather than just the emotion itself.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Attorney General Pam Bondi has promised that Maduro and Flores “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” “Wrath is a "dark vice" that destroys relationships, focuses all blame on others and only worsens over time, Pope Francis said.” “Even as she performed these tasks for Mengele, she lived in fear of his wrath and whims.” “So disgusting!”
Ocasio-Cortez received similar wrath for her hearty laugh and smile that showed her pearly whites as the camera quickly moved to the victims’ names being read aloud.” Idioms
01. grapes of wrath
In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Elmer Hader.
The Grapes of Wrath · 1939-04-14 · Historical fiction
- Author:
- John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck’s 1939 masterpiece follows the Joad family as they travel to California during the Great Depression in search of a better life. The title uses the word to represent the growing, righteous anger of migrant workers facing systemic injustice and poverty. Through this lens, the story explores how individual suffering transforms into a powerful collective resentment against an unfair society.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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