1
2
: wild, uncultivated
seldom have I seen such savage scenery—
Douglas Carruthers
Douglas Carruthers4
old-fashioned + offensive
: lacking complex or advanced culture : uncivilized
savagely
adverb
savageness
noun
plural savages
1
old-fashioned + offensive
: a person belonging to a primitive society
2
: a brutal person
3
: a rude or unmannerly person
Synonyms
Adjective
- barbarian
- barbaric
- barbarous
- heathen
- heathenish
- natural
- Neanderthal
- Neandertal
- rude
- uncivil
- uncivilized
- uncultivated
- wild
Noun
- baddie
- baddy
- beast
- brute
- caitiff
- devil
- evildoer
- fiend
- heavy
- hound
- knave
- meanie
- meany
- miscreant
- monster
- nazi
- no-good
- rapscallion
- rascal
- reprobate
- rogue
- scalawag
- scallywag
- scamp
- scapegrace
- scoundrel
- varlet
- villain
- wretch
Verb
Examples of savage in a Sentence
Adjective
He was the victim of a savage attack.
The coast was lashed by savage storms.
He wrote savage satires about people he didn't like.
Noun
What kind of savage could have committed such a terrible crime?
what kind of savage would hurt a baby?
Verb
He looked like he'd been savaged by a wild animal.
A hurricane savaged the city.
The newspapers savaged his reputation.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebTom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2022
The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2022
Not as savage as, say, a Rimac Nevera, but that comes with more than twice the power, four driven wheels, and a £2 million price tag.
—Alex Goy, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2022
Since the film’s premiere, protests in Iran have raged following the killing of Mahsa Amini, and have been met with savage violence from the state.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 11 Dec. 2022
The abrupt end of a placidly unquestioned friendship unleashes a savage emotional battle.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2022
Prompted by a perfect storm of my mom’s terminal illness and my employer’s savage institutional sexism, the decision had shocked many but also made way for my writing dreams to come true.
—Sarah Smarsh, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
This savage political satire gave us venal politicians, cynical aides, and crooked backroom dealings.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Oct. 2022
This divergent energy shock translates into a material macroeconomic headwind in the U.S. but into a far more savage shock in Europe that hammers real incomes and spending power.
—Paul Swartz, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2022
The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023
Nearly 32 years ago, Rodney King’s savage beating by police in Los Angeles prompted heartfelt calls for change.
—Aaron Morrison, Claudia Lauer and Adrian Sainz, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Jan. 2023
Portland leaders and others in the metro area and Oregon joined a nationwide chorus Friday to condemn the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols as Memphis police released a video of his savage attack by officers.
—The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 27 Jan. 2023
Russia has escalated its assault in the area in recent days, unleashing savage fighting that has underscored the high cost of the battle.
—Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2023
But where Goya would turn savage over Spain’s fortunes, Murillo stayed light, even cutesy.
—Walker Mimms, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2023
Along the way detailed signs provide information and locations of major incidents like the Bascom Affair and the Battle of Apache Pass, a savage fight between Cochise and 150 warriors and an advance guard of the California Column.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 13 Jan. 2023
Mohamed draws a savage contrast between Nour’s prosperous, secluded compound, fitted with magical amenities like an anti-drowning pool, and Aziza’s crummy neighborhood, where third-class wishes that backfire can leave people mutilated.
—Yasmine Alsayyad, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023
McBain then appeared in the low-budget AIP films Thunder Alley (1967), directed by Richard Rush; Maryjane (1968); and, as the savage leader of a motorcycle gang, The Mini-Skirt Mob (1968).
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Dec. 2022
Brenda Cronin, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2023
Ride-hail platforms have savaged public transit and the taxi industry, but the need for drivers in cities without adequate transport options remains.
—Edward Ongweso Jr., WIRED, 10 Sep. 2023
Senior House Republicans who didn’t sign the original letter also savaged Garland’s move.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
Democrats would savage Republicans for their failure and balance would be restored.
—Kyle Whitmire | Kwhitmire@al.com, al, 1 Aug. 2023
Donald Trump's push to block a Georgia investigation was rejected by a judge, a witness claims that Joe Biden greeted Hunter Biden's associates and clients on the phone, and in Ukraine, Russia savages Zelenskyy's hometown.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2023
In the weeks leading up to his aborted march on Moscow, Prigozhin savaged the men for failures in military leadership in Ukraine, recording a series of graphic, obscenity-laden tirades from the front lines.
—Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 13 July 2023
Hard-right lawmakers were furious over the compromise, savaging the bill and Mr. McCarthy’s handling of the negotiations as a betrayal.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 31 May 2023
The event had been savaged by commentators from across the ideological spectrum.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 25 May 2023
See More
Adjective
As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 27 Dec. 2022
The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2022
Not as savage as, say, a Rimac Nevera, but that comes with more than twice the power, four driven wheels, and a £2 million price tag.
—Alex Goy, WIRED, 19 Dec. 2022
Since the film’s premiere, protests in Iran have raged following the killing of Mahsa Amini, and have been met with savage violence from the state.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 11 Dec. 2022
The abrupt end of a placidly unquestioned friendship unleashes a savage emotional battle.
—Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2022
Prompted by a perfect storm of my mom’s terminal illness and my employer’s savage institutional sexism, the decision had shocked many but also made way for my writing dreams to come true.
—Sarah Smarsh, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
This savage political satire gave us venal politicians, cynical aides, and crooked backroom dealings.
—Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Oct. 2022
This divergent energy shock translates into a material macroeconomic headwind in the U.S. but into a far more savage shock in Europe that hammers real incomes and spending power.
—Paul Swartz, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2022
Noun
Often regarded by historians as a collection of savage tribes, the Scythians emerge as a pivotal force of the ancient world in this monumental history.
—The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023
Nearly 32 years ago, Rodney King’s savage beating by police in Los Angeles prompted heartfelt calls for change.
—Aaron Morrison, Claudia Lauer and Adrian Sainz, Anchorage Daily News, 29 Jan. 2023
Portland leaders and others in the metro area and Oregon joined a nationwide chorus Friday to condemn the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols as Memphis police released a video of his savage attack by officers.
—The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 27 Jan. 2023
Russia has escalated its assault in the area in recent days, unleashing savage fighting that has underscored the high cost of the battle.
—Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2023
But where Goya would turn savage over Spain’s fortunes, Murillo stayed light, even cutesy.
—Walker Mimms, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2023
Along the way detailed signs provide information and locations of major incidents like the Bascom Affair and the Battle of Apache Pass, a savage fight between Cochise and 150 warriors and an advance guard of the California Column.
—Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 13 Jan. 2023
Mohamed draws a savage contrast between Nour’s prosperous, secluded compound, fitted with magical amenities like an anti-drowning pool, and Aziza’s crummy neighborhood, where third-class wishes that backfire can leave people mutilated.
—Yasmine Alsayyad, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023
McBain then appeared in the low-budget AIP films Thunder Alley (1967), directed by Richard Rush; Maryjane (1968); and, as the savage leader of a motorcycle gang, The Mini-Skirt Mob (1968).
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Dec. 2022
Verb
Consider Emily Blunt, a movie star who recently prostrated herself after being savaged online for fat-shaming.
—Brenda Cronin, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2023
Ride-hail platforms have savaged public transit and the taxi industry, but the need for drivers in cities without adequate transport options remains.
—Edward Ongweso Jr., WIRED, 10 Sep. 2023
Senior House Republicans who didn’t sign the original letter also savaged Garland’s move.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
Democrats would savage Republicans for their failure and balance would be restored.
—Kyle Whitmire | Kwhitmire@al.com, al, 1 Aug. 2023
Donald Trump's push to block a Georgia investigation was rejected by a judge, a witness claims that Joe Biden greeted Hunter Biden's associates and clients on the phone, and in Ukraine, Russia savages Zelenskyy's hometown.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Aug. 2023
In the weeks leading up to his aborted march on Moscow, Prigozhin savaged the men for failures in military leadership in Ukraine, recording a series of graphic, obscenity-laden tirades from the front lines.
—Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 13 July 2023
Hard-right lawmakers were furious over the compromise, savaging the bill and Mr. McCarthy’s handling of the negotiations as a betrayal.
—Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 31 May 2023
The event had been savaged by commentators from across the ideological spectrum.
—Oliver Darcy, CNN, 25 May 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'savage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
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
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1880, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of savage was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing savage
Articles Related to savage
Dictionary Entries Near savage
Cite this Entry
“Savage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savage. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
savage
2 of 2 noun1
: a person belonging to a group with a low level of civilization
2
: a brutal person
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English savage "untamed, wild," from early French salvage, savage, (same meaning), from Latin salvaticus, an altered form of earlier silvaticus "of the woods, wild," from silva "woods, forest"
Word Origin
In Latin the adjective silvaticus, a derivative of silva, "forest," meant "growing or living in the forest." Because forest life is wild, the adjective easily acquired the meaning "wild, uncultivated" in later Latin as well as in the spoken Latin of the declining Roman Empire. Medieval French inherited silvaticus, altered to salvaticus, as salvage or sauvage, which was borrowed into Middle English. Medieval French sauvage retained the source meanings "wild, uncultivated (of fruit)" and "untamed (of animals)." But it could also be applied to humans, in which case its meanings could range from "lacking civilization, barbarous" to "fierce, cruel." English savage has had all these senses at some point in its history.
Biographical Definition
Savage
biographical name
Sav·age
ˈsa-vij 
Michael Joseph 1872–1940 prime minister of New Zealand (1935–40)
More from Merriam-Webster on savage
Nglish: Translation of savage for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of savage for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share