# wrath

/ˈɹæθ/ (US) · /ɹˈæθ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wrath
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. divine punishment

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

punishment from a god or a powerful person because they are angry.

For teachers: retribution or punishment resulting from anger, particularly in a theological or mythological context.

- In the old stories, the storm was seen as the wrath of the gods.
- The epic poem depicts the hero attempting to flee the divine wrath of Poseidon after blinding the Cyclops.

## Examples

- He feared the wrath of his boss after losing the contract.
- The villagers fled the coast, fearing the wrath of the approaching storm.
- In many classical epics, the narrative arc is driven by the protagonist's attempts to appease the wrath of a slighted deity whose pride has been wounded.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.