wolfish

adjective wolf·ish \ ˈwu̇l-fish \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of wolfish

1 a : suggestive of a wolf

wolfish mongrel dogs
—Hoffman Birney

a wolfish and withdrawn youth
—Marshall Frady

b : befitting or characteristic of a wolf

a wolfish appetite

2 : of or relating to wolves

—

wolfishly

adverb

—

wolfishness

noun

Recent Examples of wolfish from the Web

As tables turn and turn again — nudged along by a wolfish impostor (Ward Horton) and some creative torturing — the movie allows scant time to ponder each new tack.

— jeannette catsoulis, New York Times, "Review: A Cover-Up Turns Terrifying in ‘Midnighters’," 1 Mar. 2018
But the horribly convincing part is that Hannah is eventually (if temporarily) won over by Chuck, who reveals his true, wolfish colors towards the episode's end.

— emma dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Last Night's 'Girls' Called Out Abusive, Powerful Men While The Oscars Celebrated Them," 27 Feb. 2017
Salinger had a leaner, wolfish look, with a hint of terror behind the eyes even when they were lit up.

— peter rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "J.D. Salinger biopic 'Rebel in the Rye' falls back on banalities," 8 Sep. 2017
Jessica Coker is a ruthlessly draconian Penny Pennywise, gatekeeper of the public lavatory, and Matt Standley is amusingly wolfish as the corrupt Senator Flipp.

— sam hurwitt, The Mercury News, "Review: ‘Urinetown’ delivers major comic relief in Berkeley," 21 Apr. 2017
His wolfish charm, Irish grin and macho flamboyance were perfect for World War II musicals.

— jeanine basinger, New York Times, "The Ideal Timing of Gene Kelly," 2 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wolfish.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of wolfish

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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wolfish

Definition of wolfish

wolfishly

wolfishness

Recent Examples of wolfish from the Web

First Known Use of wolfish

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wolfish

Definition of wolfish

wolfishly

wolfishness

Recent Examples of wolfish from the Web

First Known Use of wolfish

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