wretched
word
/ˈɹɛtʃɪd/
RECH-id
/ɹˈɛtʃɪd/
RECH-id
Definition
Feeling or showing extreme unhappiness, misery, or poor quality. It can describe people, situations, or conditions that are extremely unpleasant.
Usage & Nuances
'Wretched' is formal and often used for strong negative emotion or hardship, rarely for minor discomfort. Common with 'life', 'conditions', or as insult. Less common in daily spoken English, more in writing or dramatic speech.
Spanish: miserable - desdichado - deplorablePortuguese (BR): miserável - desgraçado - deplorávelPortuguese (PT): miserável - desgraçado - deplorávelChinese (Simplified): 可怜的 - 悲惨的 - 糟糕的Chinese (Traditional): 可憐的 - 慘痛的 - 糟糕的Hindi: दुखी - दयनीय - दयालुArabic: بائس - تعيس - رديءBengali: দুর্দশাগ্রস্ত - কষ্টকর - হতভাগাRussian: жалкий - несчастный - отвратительныйJapanese: みじめな - 悲惨なVietnamese: khốn khổ - tồi tệKorean: 비참한 - 불쌍한 - 형편없는Turkish: sefil - zavallı - berbatUrdu: بدبخت - قابلِ رحم - بیزار کنIndonesian: sengsara - menyedihkan - buruk
Example Sentences
I've had a wretched week—I just want to go home and sleep.
natural
Don't be so wretched—things will get better soon.
natural
He felt wretched after failing the test.
basic
They lived in wretched conditions during the war.
basic
The wretched dog looked hungry and cold.
basic
That was a wretched meal—let's never eat there again.
natural