wretched

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English wrecched (“(adjective) characterized by or suffering hardship or misfortune, miserable, unfortunate, unhappy; indigent, poor; of low economic or social status, lowly; (noun) miserable person”) [and other forms], from wrecche (“characterized by or suffering hardship or misfortune, miserable, unfortunate, unhappy; indigent, poor; of low economic or social status, lowly; base, contemptible, vile; reprehensible, wicked; miserly, stingy; of little importance, paltry, worthless”) (from Late Old English wrecc, from Old English wreċċa (“an exile, outcast”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wreg- (“to follow, track; to hunt”)) + -ed (suffix forming adjectives). The English word is analysable as wretch (“(obsolete) wretched”, adjective) +‎ -ed (suffix forming adjectives). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈɹɛt͡ʃɪd/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɹɛt͡ʃəd/ Hyphenation: wretch‧ed === Adjective === wretched (comparative more wretched, superlative most wretched) Characterized by or feeling deep affliction or distress; very miserable. Synonyms: dejected, (archaic or obsolete) wretchful; see also Thesaurus:lamentable, Thesaurus:sad Of an inferior or unworthy nature or social status; contemptible, lowly. Synonyms: base, lousy, low-grade; see also Thesaurus:low-quality Of an insignificant, mean, or poor nature; miserable, paltry, worthless. Synonyms: trifling; see also Thesaurus:insignificant Of a person, etc.: behaving in a manner causing contempt; base, despicable, wicked. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:despicable Of weather: causing much discomfort; very unpleasant; miserable. (informal) Used to express annoyance towards or dislike of someone or something: bloody, damned. Synonyms: blasted, bleeding ==== Derived terms ==== wretchedly wretchedmost wretchedness ==== Related terms ==== ==== Collocations ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “wretched”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. “wretched”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “wretched”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.