Definition

Feeling very unhappy or in a very bad condition; miserable or of poor quality.

Example

After the storm, the wretched house was left in ruins.

Conversation

I just read a book about a wretched city in the 1800s.

That sounds interesting! What made it so wretched?

The living conditions were terrible, and the people were really suffering.

Wow, that's a tough read. Sometimes those stories really hit hard.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Wretched → It is formed from "wretch" (from Old English *wrecca*, meaning an outcast or exile) and the suffix "-ed" (indicating a state or condition). The word "wretched" describes a state of being in misery or distress, often associated with being an outcast.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who is an 'outcast' ('wretch') and in a 'state' ('-ed') of misery — that's why wretched means to be in a very unhappy or unfortunate condition.

Visually Confused Words