As a result, some people will realize they were unable to achieve their ends when they were younger and will feel wretched.

wretched 是形容词，由动词 wreak（施加、造成）演变而来，后缀 -ed 表示状态。原指"遭受苦难的"，引申为"极度痛苦的、悲惨的"。这个词强调因不幸或失败而产生的强烈负面情绪。