English Meaning & Definitions
The state or quality of being in a very unhappy, unfortunate, or miserable condition.
- “The sheer wretchedness of their living conditions in the slums was heartbreaking to witness.”
- “He sank into a state of utter wretchedness after losing everything he had worked for.”
The quality of being of very poor or inferior quality; contemptibility.
- “The wretchedness of the performance was evident in the lack of preparation by the actors.”
- “They were shocked by the wretchedness of the food served at the roadside inn.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “wretchedness”.
Derived from the Middle English 'wrecchednesse', originating from the Old English 'wrecca' (an outcast or exile). It shares roots with the Proto-Germanic 'wrakjô', which also gave rise to the word 'wretch'. The suffix '-ness' is added to denote the state or quality of being in that condition.
Think of a 'wretch' (a miserable person) and add '-edness' to describe the state of being that person.
Frequently Asked Questions About “wretchedness”
1. What is the meaning of “wretchedness” in English?
In English, wretchedness (noun) is defined as: “The state or quality of being in a very unhappy, unfortunate, or miserable condition.”.
2. How do you use “wretchedness” in a sentence?
“The sheer wretchedness of their living conditions in the slums was heartbreaking to witness.”
3. What are English synonyms of “wretchedness”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “wretchedness”?
Derived from the Middle English 'wrecchednesse', originating from the Old English 'wrecca' (an outcast or exile). It shares roots with the Proto-Germanic 'wrakjô', which also gave rise to the word 'wretch'. The suffix '-ness' is added to denote the state or quality of being in that condition.
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