savagery

noun

sav·​age·​ry ˈsa-vij-rē How to pronounce savagery (audio)
-vi-jə-
plural savageries
1
a
: the quality of being savage
b
: an act of cruelty or violence
2
: an uncivilized state

Examples of savagery in a Sentence

The savagery of the attack was horrifying. an act of pure savagery the savageries committed by the soldiers
Recent Examples on the Web Keough plays Daisy as assertive but open, with a winsome combination of take-no-prisoners savagery and stochastic, captivating warmth. Lili Loofbourow, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023 The helplessness of the young victims and the savagery of the attack sickened France. John Leicester, Anchorage Daily News, 8 June 2023 The long fight for Bakhmut has been block-by-block, house-by-house savagery grinding up men, materiel and masonry. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2023 And while Islamic State group disciples reinforced the group’s reputation for brutality through videos of the decapitations of Western hostages and other acts of savagery, Dr. Zawahri opposed such displays, apparently to avoid alienating potential supporters. Alan Cowell, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Aug. 2022 And while Islamic State disciples reinforced the group’s reputation for brutality through videos of the decapitations of Western hostages and other acts of savagery, al-Zawahri opposed such displays, apparently to avoid alienating potential supporters. New York Times, 1 Aug. 2022 Not that Roy’s savagery is anything new: Shakespeare’s classic plays, King Lear, Macbeth, Coriolanus, and even Hamlet, all focus on the brutal realities of succession. Miles S. Nadal, Quartz, 6 Mar. 2023 Mainstream media ignore Antifa’s savagery, but Guadagnino’s Grand Guignol romance is intimate social observation. Armond White, National Review, 11 Jan. 2023 This is largely due to the increased savagery of its exhaust note, particularly in Trofeo mode above 4500 rpm when the flaps in its active exhaust open. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 6 Aug. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'savagery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of savagery was circa 1616

Dictionary Entries Near savagery

Cite this Entry

“Savagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savagery. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

savagery

noun
sav·​age·​ry ˈsav-ij-(ə-)rē How to pronounce savagery (audio)
plural savageries
1
: savage disposition or action : cruelty
2
: the state of being savage

More from Merriam-Webster on savagery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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