Wretch

A 'wretch' is a deeply unfortunate or unhappy person; someone considered contemptible or despicable due to their circumstances, behavior, or character. Often, the word carries connotations of misery, lowliness, or depravity. It describes an individual deserving of pity or scorn, often dwelling in a state of significant suffering, degradation, or moral corruption. The term can be applied to oneself or others to express extreme disdain or despair, highlighting a perceived lack of dignity or worth.

Wretch meaning with examples

• The shipwrecked sailor, lost and alone on a desert island, felt like a wretched wretch, his hope dwindling with each passing day. He cursed his misfortune, a tiny speck against the vast ocean, as the sun beat down. He yearned for rescue, but with each passing day, he felt more and more a wretch, succumbing to despair and hunger.
• Witnessing the poverty and suffering in the slums, she felt a deep empathy for the wretched wretches living there, trapped in a cycle of hardship. Their plight fueled her determination to help, to lift them from their degraded state. She resolved to do all she could to improve their lives, and no longer did she deem anyone a wretch.
• Consumed by remorse, the murderer viewed himself as a wretched wretch, tormented by the faces of his victims. He felt the weight of his actions, and sought repentance. Every memory, every breath, was tainted by guilt and the knowledge of his crimes. He could barely look his own reflection, knowing that he deserved his fate.
• Despite his vast wealth and power, the tyrannical king was considered a wretched wretch by his people, hated for his cruelty and injustice. His people saw his greed and saw him for the wretched wretch he truly was. His kingdom crumbled to dust.