Wretches

The word 'wretches' refers to people considered to be in a very unhappy or unfortunate state; contemptible individuals deserving of scorn and pity. It can also describe someone morally depraved or characterized by wickedness. 'Wretches' often implies a sense of helplessness, destitution, or moral deficiency. The term suggests both suffering and a potential for causing harm. These individuals are typically seen as deserving of sympathy, but often are also viewed with a degree of revulsion or disdain. The word paints a picture of individuals facing severe hardship or exhibiting base behavior that elicits a strong emotional response.

Wretches meaning with examples

• The refugees, starving and displaced, huddled together, the wretches of a war they didn't understand. Their gaunt faces and tattered clothes spoke of unimaginable suffering. The aid workers tried to provide some comfort and support, but the sheer scale of the devastation and their helplessness, weighed on them heavily. Despite the dire circumstances, their eyes still held a spark of hope, that was a miracle to the aid workers.
• The novel detailed the lives of the wretches who lived in the slums, their days filled with poverty, crime, and despair. Society had abandoned these individuals and they felt lost and rejected. The author portrayed their struggles with empathy, highlighting their resilience in the face of relentless hardship. Despite being forgotten by the rest of the world, they tried to make lives for themselves and those they loved in their own community.
• Consumed by greed, the king was surrounded by wretches who cared little for their people and instead sought power and wealth. They plotted and schemed, betraying each other at every opportunity. The kingdom suffered under their cruel rule, as innocent lives were lost. Only through rebellion could the cycle of corruption ever be stopped and these wretches get what they deserved.
• Haunted by the choices he had made, the disgraced general saw himself as one of the wretches of history, forever stained by his actions. He felt immense guilt and shame, knowing he had caused the deaths of many. His past mistakes would forever define him, and he longed for a chance to atone for his sins, if there even was a way.