The Only Use of

wretched

in

The Giver

I sat there numb with horror. Wretched with helplessness. And I listened as Rosemary told them she would prefer to inject herself. Then she did so. I didn't watch. I looked away.
p. 151.6

wretched = miserable

Definition:

very bad

in various senses, including:

unfortunate or miserable -- as in "wretched prisoners sleeping on the cold floor"
of poor quality -- as in "wretched roads"
morally bad -- as in "The wretched woman stole his wallet."