Wretched or sad ways (5)
I believe the answer is:
roads
'ways' is the definition.
(I know this)
'wretched or sad' is the wordplay.
'wretched' indicates anagramming the letters.
'or'+'sad'='orsad'
'orsad' is an anagram of 'ROADS'.
(Other definitions for roads that I've seen before include "Tracks" , "Area by shore where ships lie at anchor; streets" , "Highways" , "Routes for vehicles" , "Thoroughfares" .)