wretched

adjective

wretch·ed ˈre-chəd

Synonyms of wretched

: deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed in body or mind

: extremely or deplorably bad or distressing

was in wretched health

a wretched accident

: being or appearing mean, miserable, or contemptible

dressed in wretched old clothes

: very poor in quality or ability : inferior

wretched workmanship

wretchedly adverb

wretchedness noun

Examples of wretched in a Sentence

The slums were filled with poor, wretched children. I don't know what's wrong with her, but she looks wretched. families living in wretched poverty the wretched conditions of the refugee camp How did we get into this wretched state of affairs? What a wretched performance that was. That movie was positively wretched.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

One of college football’s ugliest offseasons of wretched headlines is nearly over. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 But this was ultimately a positive season for United, after their wretched end to the previous season under Ralf Rangnick. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Disney World has unveiled new, delightfully dark details for two rides heading to its perfectly wretched Villains Land area set to open at the Magic Kingdom park. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Aug. 2026 Hashimi’s tale of unflagging effort amid wretched inequality astounds. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wretched

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wrecched, expansion (with -ed -ed entry 1) of wrecche, adjective, in same sense, going back to Old English wrecc, derivative from the base of wræcca, wrecce "exile, stranger, despicable person" — more at wretch

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of wretched was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

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wretched

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Wretched.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wretched. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wretched

adjective

wretch·ed ˈrech-əd

: very miserable or unhappy

: causing misery or distress

that wretched accident

: deserving of hatred or disgust

a wretched trick

: very poor in quality or ability

wretched work

wretchedly adverb

wretchedness noun

wretched

adjective

Synonyms of wretched

Examples of wretched in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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