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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
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Officers found people trying to attack police cruisers with fireworks, cones, poles and other items.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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

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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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