savage

¹sav·age

adjective \ˈsa-vij\

Definition of SAVAGE

1

a : not domesticated or under human control : untamed <savage beasts>

b : lacking the restraints normal to civilized human beings : fierce, ferocious <a savage criminal>

2

: wild, uncultivated <seldom have I seen such savage scenery — Douglas Carruthers>

3

a : boorish, rude <the savage bad manners of most motorists — M. P. O'Connor>

b : malicious

4

: lacking complex or advanced culture : uncivilized <a savage country>

— sav·age·ly adverb

— sav·age·ness noun

Examples of SAVAGE

1. He was the victim of a savage attack.
2. The coast was lashed by savage storms.
3. He wrote savage satires about people he didn't like.

Origin of SAVAGE

Middle English, from Anglo-French salvage, savage, from Late Latin salvaticus, alteration of Latin silvaticus of the woods, wild, from silva wood, forest

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SAVAGE

Synonyms

barbarian, barbaric, barbarous, heathen, heathenish, natural, Neanderthal (or Neandertal), rude, uncivil, uncivilized, uncultivated, wild

Antonyms

civilized

Related Words

coarse, crude, primitive, rough; uncouth, uncultured

Near Antonyms

cultured, enlightened, humane, sophisticated; genteel, polished, polite, refined, urbane, well-bred; semicivilized

See Synonym Discussion at fierce

Rhymes with SAVAGE

ravage

²savage

noun

Definition of SAVAGE

1

: a person belonging to a primitive society

2

: a brutal person

3

: a rude or unmannerly person

Examples of SAVAGE

1. What kind of savage could have committed such a terrible crime?
2. <what kind of savage would hurt a baby?>

First Known Use of SAVAGE

15th century

Related to SAVAGE

Synonyms

baddie (or baddy), beast, brute, caitiff, devil, evildoer, fiend, heavy, hound, knave, meanie (also meany), miscreant, monster, nazi, no-good, rapscallion, rascal, reprobate, rogue, villain, scalawag (or scallywag), scamp, scapegrace, scoundrel, varlet, wretch

Related Words

villainess; blackguard; criminal, crook, culprit, felon, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, perp, perpetrator, transgressor; sinner, trespasser, wrongdoer; cad, heel, serpent, snake, viper; bandit, bravo, desperado, outlaw; con, convict, jailbird; assassin, cutthroat, gangster, goon, gunman, hoodlum, hooligan, racketeer, ruffian, thug; rough, rowdy, tough; loser, lowlife, ne'er-do-well, stinker, trash

Near Antonyms

angel, innocent, saint; hero

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

Rhymes with SAVAGE

ravage

³savage

transitive verb

sav·agedsav·ag·ing

Definition of SAVAGE

: to attack or treat brutally

Examples of SAVAGE

1. He looked like he'd been savaged by a wild animal.
2. A hurricane savaged the city.
3. The newspapers savaged his reputation.

First Known Use of SAVAGE

1880

Related to SAVAGE

Synonyms

abuse, assail, bash, belabor, blast, castigate, excoriate, jump (on), lambaste (or lambast), potshot, attack, scathe, slam, trash, vituperate

Related Words

berate, harangue, harass, harry, revile, scold, whip; blaspheme, curse, execrate, imprecate, profane; affront, insult, slur; asperse, bad-mouth, belittle, blackguard, disparage, put down; libel, slander, traduce, vilify; chastise, chide, criticize, lace (into), rebuke, reprimand, reproof; fulminate, lash (out)

Near Antonyms

acclaim, commend, compliment, hail, laud, praise

Sav·age

biographical name \ˈsa-vij\

Definition of SAVAGE

Michael Joseph 1872–1940 prime min. of New Zealand (1935–40)

Savage

biographical name

Definition of SAVAGE

Richard 1697?–1743 Eng. poet