The American Heritage Dictionary provides a good definition of wrath that aligns well with some of the comments above:
- Forceful, often vindictive anger.
Example:
He feared the wrath of his employer.
Wrath can also mean:
- Punishment or vengeance as a manifestation of anger.
Example:
He decided to risk the wrath of the authorities and go ahead with the plan.
In a religious context, wrath can also have a more specific meaning of divine retribution for wrongdoing or sin.
Example:
You broke the divine law by murdering your brother and must suffer the wrath of the Almighty.
Some sources note that wrath can imply righteous anger (similar to the above):
righteous indignation and condemnation especially of a deity or sovereign
(Webster's Unabridged)
It can also be used humorously in certain contexts:
wrath: extreme anger (chiefly used for humorous or rhetorical effect)
(Oxford American Dictionary)