wretched

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).

adj

1. Characterized by or feeling deep affliction or distress; very miserable.
   I felt wretched after my wife died.
   Mario Balotelli replaced [Carlos] Tevez but his contribution was so negligible that he suffered the indignity of being substituted himself as time ran out, a development that encapsulated a wretched 90 minutes for City and boss Roberto Mancini. 11 April 2011, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 3 – 0 Man City”, in BBC Sport, archived from the original on 2023-01-27
2. Of an inferior or unworthy nature or social status; contemptible, lowly.
   The street was full of wretched beggars dressed in rags.
3. Of an insignificant, mean, or poor nature; miserable, paltry, worthless.
4. Of a person, etc.: behaving in a manner deserving contempt; base, despicable, wicked.
5. Of weather: causing much discomfort; very unpleasant; miserable.
6. (informal) Used to express annoyance towards or dislike of someone or something: bloody, damned.
   Will you please stop playing that wretched trombone!