Definitions
retch
Retch is a verb that means to make an involuntary attempt to vomit.
Example
The smell of the garbage made me retch.
Example
I had to cover my nose and mouth to avoid retching.
wretch
Wretch is a noun that refers to a person who is regarded as unfortunate or pitiable, or someone who is despicable or contemptible.
Example
He was a wretch who had lost everything in the war.
Example
The wretch stole money from his own mother.
Tips To Remember the Differences
Here are a few tips to easily distinguish the difference between these words while keeping in mind the description we've provided:
- To remember the difference between these two words, think of retch as sounding like 'retching', which is what your body does when you smell something disgusting. - Wretch has a 'w' at the beginning, which can remind you of 'woe' or 'unfortunate', which is what a wretch is.
Remember this!
Remember, retch means to feel nauseous or vomit, while wretch refers to a person who is pitiable or contemptible.
