wretch

[ rech ]

/ rɛtʃ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for wretch on Thesaurus.com

noun

a deplorably unfortunate or unhappy person.

a person of despicable or base character.

QUIZ

TAKE JOY IN ACING THIS QUIZ ON “PRIDE” SYNONYMS

Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

Question 1 of 7

What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of wretch

before 900; Middle English wrecche,Old English wrecca exile, adventurer; cognate with German Recke warrior, hero, Old Norse rekkr man

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wretch

retch, wretch

Words nearby wretch

wren-tit, wrest, wrestle, wrestling, wrest pin, wretch, wretched, Wrexham, wrick, wrier, wriest

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use wretch in a sentence

People tend to have a strong reaction to smells, and a present that makes its receiver wretch is no gift at all.
Gifts that are smelly, but in a good way|Eleanor Cummins|November 17, 2021|Popular-Science
Many of us ink-stained wretches would give anything to have his writing chops.
Obama memoir addresses evolution on LGBTQ rights|Kathi Wolfe|December 5, 2020|Washington Blade
So you are the one who is at the bottom of this, you wretch you!
Meet 'The Queen of Thieves' Marm Mandelbaum, New York City's First Mob Boss|J. North Conway|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The haggard wretch was equally incapacitated, only her condition was mental.
The Extinction Parade: An Original Zombie Story by Max Brooks|Max Brooks|January 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST

An utterly undeserving wretch defeated a neophyte vulgarian.
10 Election Night Truths|Tunku Varadarajan|November 3, 2010|DAILY BEAST
After the wretch had stabbed her in three places, he went to make his escape out at a window; but she cried out, My dear!
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
It was evident that the dread of another period of prison life was strong upon the trembling wretch.
The Garret and the Garden|R.M. Ballantyne
If only the poor wretch next door knew what was in store for him!
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 109, July 27, 1895|Various
There was a long stretch of wood country, where the wretch's most inhuman deeds had been located.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
You don't think I am going to suffer Maude's children to be domineered over by a wretch of a step-mother—perhaps poisoned.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for wretch

wretch

/ (rɛtʃ) /

noun

a despicable person

a person pitied for his misfortune

Word Origin for wretch

Old English wrecca; related to Old Saxon wrekkeo, Old High German reccheo (German Recke warrior), Old Norse rek (n) ingr

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

wretch

Origin of wretch

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH wretch

Words nearby wretch

Words related to wretch

How to use wretch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wretch

Word Origin for wretch