1
as in horrible
extremely unsatisfactory
this report is simply wretched—you'll have to rewrite it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pitiful
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
a wretched lie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bleak
causing or marked by an atmosphere lacking in cheer
lived alone in a wretched room in a run-down hotel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in poor
falling short of a standard
a wretched attempt at writing an original song
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in unhappy
feeling unhappiness
she was wretched for weeks after breaking up with her boyfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in vile
not following or in accordance with standards of honor and decency
his wretched treatment of women earned him a bad reputation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in terrible
of low quality
wretched goods that aren't even worth half of what the store is charging for them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in pathetic
deserving of one's pity
those wretched souls who cannot even afford a decent roof over their heads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in miserable
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
the pampered socialite complained that the only room available was in a wretched little motel by the highway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of wretched
Called whooping cough for its most recognizable symptom, pertussis can be a wretched experience, particularly for babies who aren’t strong enough to withstand the wracking chest spasms.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024
Bogaerts, the team’s $280-million signing two offseasons ago, might have had the biggest second-half turnaround, rebounding from a wretched first half — his OPS was under .600 through July 21 — by hitting .291 over his final 59 games.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
Chris is beautiful and popular, unlike the reclusive, strange Carrie; telekinesis or not, no one wants to be wretched Carrie.
—Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024
This quirky delight concerns the wretched lives of 1970s Australian twins — Grace (Sarah Snook) and Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wretched 
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2024
Bogaerts, the team’s $280-million signing two offseasons ago, might have had the biggest second-half turnaround, rebounding from a wretched first half — his OPS was under .600 through July 21 — by hitting .291 over his final 59 games.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
Chris is beautiful and popular, unlike the reclusive, strange Carrie; telekinesis or not, no one wants to be wretched Carrie.
—Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024
This quirky delight concerns the wretched lives of 1970s Australian twins — Grace (Sarah Snook) and Gilbert (Kodi Smit-McPhee).
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wretched
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wretched
Adjective
-
Give Back To Maui After the horrible 2023 wildfires in Maui, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua reopened on October 8, 2023, and it’s been going strong and welcoming guests with open arms since then.Robin Raven, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
-
This is also a great matchup against a horrible Jaguars passing defense.David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, nearly one-third of election offices don’t have any full-time staff, wages are pitiful, and turnover rates grew from 28 percent in 2004—already high—to nearly 39 percent in 2022.Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2024
-
The plight of Zimbabwe, moreover, remains pitiful, a once prosperous country not only reduced to economic ruin but also trapped in a culture of corruption and violence that Mugabe fostered since gaining power in 1980 and that is now deeply embedded among the ruling elite.Martin Meredith, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Adjective
-
Some recipients responded to the texts with anger and others with a sense of humor, but many agree that the messages seem to be a bleak foreshadowing.Char Adams, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
-
The stock's fate hinges on the 2024 presidential election results, with potential appreciation if Trump wins, but a bleak outlook if Kamala Harris prevails.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Exposure to high concentrations can cause people to lose consciousness and can lead to long-term effects such as headaches, poor attention span, poor memory and poor motor function, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
-
More than 40% of pregnant people were exposed to extreme heat, and nearly three-quarters lived in areas with poor air quality, the report found.Erika Edwards, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Instead of simply telling CEOs that employees are unhappy, provide hard evidence that points to why.Alena Botros, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Pickford grew up in a quiet, unhappy house near Richmond Park, in southwest London.Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Flash forward 92-plus years to Donald Trump’s rally Sunday at New York’s Madison Square Garden, a bleak, lurid festival of racist hate and profane vituperation so vile that even fellow Republicans, who have turned a blind eye to Trump’s character for years, are distancing themselves from the event.Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024
-
The mass protests, vile sound bites, revolving door to his administration, and constant threats of violence and war have been exhausting.Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Meanwhile Kelly Oubre, who was terrible with the Warriors, has found success with Philadelphia.Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
-
Elsbeth and Kaya are suspicious of Roselyn, even after Valentina’s quick assessment — supported by the medical examiner — that Claude’s death was a terrible accident.Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
After a downright pathetic few weeks, the Russians regrouped—or at least got regrouped enough.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
-
The upcoming sequel to This Is Spinal Tap will be turning the pathetic knobs all the way to 11.Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near wretched
Cite this Entry
“Wretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wretched. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share