Retch, a verb, describes what your body does when you try to vomit (‘throw up’). It does not mean to vomit. When you vomit, you usually retch, but you can retch without vomiting:
Gregory retched several times trying to throw up the poison, but nothing came out.
Wretch, a noun, is a person in a wretched condition, with two very different meanings: (1) “poor, sick, or in a bad condition,” (2) “disgusting, offensive, or morally corrupt.” Usually, you’ll find an adjective placed before wretch, to form common phrases, such as poor wretch or disgusting wretch, so that the difference is clear (between the two meanings stated above).
More Examples of How to Use “Retch” in a Sentence
- The feeling of retching can be caused by a variety of things, including nausea, hunger, and even anxiety.
- If you’re feeling the need to retch, there are a few things you can do to try and ease the sensation.
- I can’t believe I have to eat this gross food—just looking at it makes me want to retch.
- The smell of your cheap cologne is so strong, I’m about to retch.
- The heat and humidity was so overwhelming that Simone had to stop walking and lean against a wall, trying not to retch.
More Examples of How to Use “Wretch” in a Sentence
- I can’t believe that lying wretch lied to me about being at work.
- Mateo is not a wretch; he just has no self-esteem, and he needs just a little bit of support and guidance.
- That poor, wretched creature is too afraid to tell his boss how he really feels—he’s become a push-over.
- Bob’s heartless wretch of an ex-husband had left him with nothing but a stack of unpaid bills.
- Chris may be a hopeless wretch at times, but he’s my hopeless wretch.