1
as in brute
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
what kind of savage would hurt a baby?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in barbarian
an uncivilized person
inhabitants of exotic lands were invariably portrayed by early travel writers as savages
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in rude
not civilized
Tarzan is usually portrayed as a noble but savage warrior of the jungle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
a savage attack on a helpless person
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in feral
living outdoors without taming or domestication by humans
savage beasts that seemed threatening to the tourists
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ferocious
violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition
early explorers avoided those areas that were rumored to be inhabited by savage natives
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
book reviewers mercilessly savaged his latest novel
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of savage
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
Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 30 Sep. 2025
The singer went viral at Monday night’s show for her seemingly savage reaction to Tori Kelly and Muni Long’s tribute performance.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 26 Sep. 2025
H. Jiahong Pan, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2025
Thus, even for only two hours, that pain feels unbothered by being savaged by American history's past, present and future.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for savage
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
Adjective
McBride sets the political context for Swift’s savage indignation by noting that 1727–1729 saw three successive harvest failures in Ireland.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 30 Sep. 2025
The singer went viral at Monday night’s show for her seemingly savage reaction to Tori Kelly and Muni Long’s tribute performance.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Somewhere in the not-too-distant future, two young friends — or perhaps cuddle buddies or lovers — accomplish missions throughout an underground metropolis savaged by capitalism to make ever-elusive rent, while facing flaky clients, bandits and low credit scores.
—H. Jiahong Pan, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2025
Thus, even for only two hours, that pain feels unbothered by being savaged by American history's past, present and future.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for savage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savage
Noun
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An extermination of the brutes in the Middle East, presided over by Obama’s successors, has been followed by a swift cancellation by Trumpian decree of the postracial age.—
Pankaj Mishra,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
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Each fits into typical RPG classes — with Armon being the close combat brute, Harlow the magical crowd control specialist, Rafa the agile rogue, and Vex serving as a summoner who calls on minions to do the dirty work.—
George Yang,
Rolling Stone,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Gauls had been described as barbarians by Julius Caesar and Livy, but now had become these Ur people, far more ancient and civilized than their ancient Roman detractors.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Bautista will have the plum role of the immortal barbarian known as The Kurgen, who has been killing other immortals across the centuries in order to absorb their essence.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Moreover, dogs may react negatively to a person's actions, especially if someone is rude or unfriendly, particularly toward their owner.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Angry and rude to their neighbors while fearing the end of the republic?—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For more than 40 years, the person responsible for the brutal rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl on Long Island has eluded capture.—
Lauren del Valle,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Behind him, officials key to his brutal rule made a mass exodus, virtually undetected.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For example, in Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, invasive species like rats and feral cats are considered one of the main causes of extinctions, including to the islands’ famous birds.—
Jessica Beaudette,
The Conversation,
11 Oct. 2025
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Like a faulty fire hydrant, or a vacuum cleaner whizzing up and down with the uncontrollable hysteria of a feral raccoon, our directive was to suck up as many clicks as possible through every angle imaginable.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As previously announced, Andrew Garfield stars as the legendary leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Andrew Garfield is leading the feature that is now in production, portraying the leader of a ferocious rebellion against the tyranny of King Richard II.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And if Klopp felt the benefits of turning throw-ins into choreographed events, complete with long build-ups, would be outweighed in Liverpool’s case by a loss of attacking impetus, is there not something to be said for that?—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Officers found people trying to attack police cruisers with fireworks, cones, poles and other items.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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She's been gone for over 20 years, and so to win this for a soap opera, playing a villain, is really wonderful.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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Not to mention Elm Street introduced a villain for the ages in Freddy Krueger, an instant icon played by Robert Englund, whose charisma was strong enough to shine through even the thickest makeup.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Savage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savage. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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