A Sentence With Wretched

February 3, 2026 services

The word wretched is a powerful adjective in English that conveys extreme misery, unhappiness, or poor condition. It can describe a person, place, or situation, emphasizing distress, misfortune, or unpleasantness. Understanding how to use wretched in sentences allows speakers and writers to vividly express emotions or conditions, whether in literature, journalism, or everyday conversation. In this topic, we will explore the meaning of wretched, provide multiple sentence examples, explain its usage in different contexts, and offer tips for incorporating it effectively in writing.

Table of Contents

Definition and Meaning of Wretched

Wretched is an adjective that describes someone or something in a very poor or miserable state. It can refer to physical, emotional, or environmental conditions. The term is often used to evoke strong sympathy or highlight extreme discomfort, unhappiness, or moral degradation. For example, a wretched person may be suffering from poverty, illness, or despair, while a wretched situation may involve misfortune or hardship.

Grammatical Usage

Wretched is an adjective and can be used to modify nouns in a sentence. It can describe feelings, conditions, or people

The wretched man had nowhere to go during the storm.
She lived in a wretched house with broken windows and leaky roofs.
The refugees were in a wretched state, exhausted and hungry.

Examples of a Sentence with Wretched

Using wretched in sentences adds emotional intensity or conveys the severity of a situation. Below are examples categorized by different contexts.

In Describing People

He felt wretched after hearing the sad news of his friend’s passing.
The wretched child shivered in the cold, wearing tattered clothes.
She appeared wretched, her face pale and eyes filled with sorrow.
The prisoner lived in wretched conditions with minimal food and shelter.li>
Many wretched souls were left homeless after the devastating earthquake.li>

In Describing Places or Conditions

The wretched village had no clean water or proper sanitation facilities.li>
After the fire, the house was reduced to a wretched pile of ashes.li>
The battlefield was a wretched sight, littered with debris and wounded soldiers.li>
She lived in a wretched apartment that was dark and infested with pests.li>
The wretched road made travel extremely difficult for villagers.li>

In Emotional or Moral Contexts

He made a wretched choice that led to regret and disappointment.li>
The wretched man struggled with guilt for his past mistakes.li>
She felt wretched after betraying the trust of her closest friend.li>
The wretched behavior of the corrupt official angered the citizens.li>
The wretched outcome of the project was due to poor planning and lack of effort.li>

Common Collocations with Wretched

Wretched is often paired with nouns that highlight misery, distress, or poor condition. Common collocations include

Wretched condition – The building was in a wretched condition, unsafe for habitation.
Wretched state – After the accident, he was in a wretched state physically and emotionally.li>
Wretched life – Many lived a wretched life due to poverty and lack of opportunities.li>
Wretched soul – The wretched soul wandered alone, seeking help.li>
Wretched circumstances – She was forced to endure wretched circumstances after losing her job.li>

Contextual Usage of Wretched

Understanding how to use wretched effectively requires awareness of its emotional intensity and context. It is more formal and expressive than words like bad or poor, making it suitable for literary, descriptive, or serious writing.

In Literature

The novel describes the wretched plight of the orphaned children during the war.li>
The protagonist’s wretched experiences shaped her character throughout the story.li>
Authors often use wretched’ to evoke sympathy for characters in difficult situations.li>

In Journalism

Reports highlighted the wretched conditions of refugees in overcrowded camps.li>
The hurricane left thousands in wretched circumstances, lacking food and shelter.li>
Journalists use descriptive language like wretched’ to convey the severity of disasters.li>

In Everyday Conversation

I felt wretched when I lost my wallet and couldn’t find it anywhere.li>
She looked wretched after staying up all night preparing for the exam.li>
Even a short illness can make someone feel wretched for days.li>

Tips for Writing Sentences with Wretched

Use wretched when you want to emphasize extreme unhappiness, poor condition, or misfortune.
Pair it with descriptive nouns to create vivid imagery and evoke empathy.
In formal or literary writing, wretched is more effective than simple adjectives like bad or unhappy.
Avoid overusing it in casual conversation to maintain its emotional impact.
Combine with adverbs or context phrases for more depth, such as truly wretched or in wretched conditions.

Practice Sentences Using Wretched

The wretched weather made it impossible to enjoy the outdoor festival.li>
He felt wretched after missing the opportunity of a lifetime.li>
The wretched room had broken furniture and peeling wallpaper.li>
She was wretched with grief after the loss of her beloved pet.li>
The refugees were living in wretched conditions with no access to clean water.li>
The wretched behavior of the villain in the story evoked strong emotions from readers.li>
The patient appeared wretched due to prolonged illness and lack of proper care.li>
He made a wretched mistake that cost him his job and reputation.li>
The town’s economy had collapsed, leaving residents in wretched circumstances.li>
She endured a wretched journey through the stormy mountains, exhausted and cold.li>

Using wretched in sentences allows speakers and writers to convey strong emotions, vivid descriptions, and extreme conditions. Whether describing people, places, situations, or emotional states, wretched provides intensity and depth that simpler adjectives cannot match. By understanding its meaning, collocations, and contextual usage, one can effectively craft sentences that evoke empathy, highlight misfortune, or emphasize distress. Practicing with sentences using wretched helps in mastering the word’s versatility, enriching both vocabulary and expressive ability in English.

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