好词典

wretches

UK //ˈretʃɪz//US //ˈretʃɪz//

词源

源自中古英语 wrecche,与古英语 wrecca(流亡者)相关,原指被放逐或流浪的人,后引申为不幸或可怜的人。

noun

❶ 指可怜或不幸的人,常带有轻蔑或同情的语气,形容那些生活困苦、处境悲惨或品行低劣的人。

“The poor wretches had no shelter from the storm.”

(这些可怜的人在暴风雨中无处躲避。)

“He called the thieves miserable wretches.”

(他称那些小偷为可悲的家伙。)

同义词:miserable people, unfortunates, poor souls

verb

❶ 使某人陷入悲惨或痛苦的境地,常用于被动语态,表示被迫承受苦难。

“They were wretches by poverty and disease.”

(他们因贫困和疾病而陷入悲惨境地。)

“The villagers were wretches by the cruel landlord.”

(村民们被残忍的地主折磨得苦不堪言。)

同义词:torment, afflict, oppress

常见短语

poor wretches — 用于强调对不幸之人的同情,通常指那些生活极度困苦或处境悲惨的人。

“The poor wretches had no one to turn to for help.”

(这些可怜的人无人可以求助。)