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savage

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adjective

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savage

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word savage different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of savage are barbarous, cruel, ferocious, and fierce. While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

Where would barbarous be a reasonable alternative to savage?

Although the words barbarous and savage have much in common, barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

When would cruel be a good substitute for savage?

The words cruel and savage can be used in similar contexts, but cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

When can ferocious be used instead of savage?

While in some cases nearly identical to savage, ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

When might fierce be a better fit than savage?

The synonyms fierce and savage are sometimes interchangeable, but fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of savage
Noun
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 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
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
Verb
Rarely has a wide release been more savaged by critics, sitting at 0 percent on Rotten Tomatoes for a long time. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 13 June 2025 That is important to keep in mind as Trump savages Ukraine for rejecting his proposal. Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for savage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savage
Noun
  • Mihály is a brute who mistreats his mother.
    Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Some are slow and heavy brutes that have tons of health while others are slightly but deal more damage.
    Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • This barbarian conceptualized this atrocity and brought it to reality.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • These particular coffee-shop customers picked the wrong day to be rude, though.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the Lions give a rude welcome back to Ben Johnson, while the 49ers run over the Saints.
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Take the quiz here … KICKED TO THE CURB – Super Bowl hero cut from 49ers roster after brutal Week 1 performance.
    , FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • While released, Horton committed another horrific crime – a brutal home invasion and rape.
    Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While not native to Florida, wild hogs, also called feral hogs, feral swine, feral pigs, wild boar, wild pigs or piney woods rooter, live in all 67 Florida counties, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC).
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • There is something feral in the onrush of Marlowe’s verse, with the gleam of bared teeth daring us to laugh.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Just like that, Denver’s ferocious defensive front had turned a go-ahead scoring opportunity for the Titans into a punt.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The conflict in Europe was mirrored by a ferocious debate between scientists and Spiritualists, each side fueled by the pain of their own private losses.
    Alice Vernon September 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Estonian police said the drone was likely en route to attack targets inside Russia.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Because the traits that make someone a hero in a story can easily lend themselves to being painted as a villain, too.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin play estranged old friends who reconnect at the funeral of a mutual friend, only to realize that their friend's dead husband was really the villain in all their lives.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Savage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savage. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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