You can refer to someone as a wretch when you feel sorry for them because they are unhappy or unfortunate. Before the poor wretch had time to speak, he was shot
{i} unhappy person, miserable person, poor person; despicable or contemptible person, one who is scorned; mean or base person
disapproval You can refer to someone as a wretch when you think that they are wicked or if they have done something you are angry about. Oh, what have you done, you wretch!