savage 1 of 3

savage

2 of 3

adjective

1
2
3
4

savage

3 of 3

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
But where Goya would turn savage over Spain’s fortunes, Murillo stayed light, even cutesy. Walker Mimms, New York Times, 12 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
The abrupt end of a placidly unquestioned friendship unleashes a savage emotional battle. Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2022 Prompted by a perfect storm of my mom’s terminal illness and my employer’s savage institutional sexism, the decision had shocked many but also made way for my writing dreams to come true. Sarah Smarsh, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
Verb
That is important to keep in mind as Trump savages Ukraine for rejecting his proposal. Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025 DeSantis, who has savaged one of the nominees as uniquely terrible, nonetheless acknowledged this was not the right trajectory for the GOP. Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for savage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savage
Noun
  • But Madsen was born to be the Lee Marvin of the 1990s — the kind of laconic brute who spoke softly and carried a sharp straight-razor.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2025
  • The novel is often rhapsodic about its alpha brutes, but, toward the end, Frey turns the tables.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • This barbarian conceptualized this atrocity and brought it to reality.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2025
  • But the most famous Leo is Leo the Great (391-461), who stood up to the barbarians that sought to destroy what remained in his era of Roman society.
    Emmett Coyne, The Hill, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Think scarf head coverings for women in Catholic churches, shoe removal for all to enter a mosque, yarmulkes required for men in synagogues, but also pay attention to the cultural norms away from houses of worship and behave accordingly to avoid being considered a rude American.
    Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The Reddit community nearly unanimously branded the boyfriend as rude and tone-deaf.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Launch control is a wild ride, equal parts fun and brutal, as all that boost sends the V-6 screaming.
    Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2025
  • At the world’s southern edge, where nature is brutal and time stands still, hunters, herders and families endure the cold and solitude as ghosts roam the pampa.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Wild pigs, also known as feral swine, have been in the U.S. since the 1500s.
    Vanessa Countryman, USA Today, 22 July 2025
  • However, this remarkable biodiversity was nearly destroyed following the introduction of invasive mammals brought by humans – specifically, feral sheep and domestic cats.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Typical confusion and disruption for a ferocious Vikings unit led by blitz enthusiast and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but a shock to the Patriots’ offensive system.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Aquaman star Jason Momoa learned that lesson the hard way while attempting a miles-long paddle through ferocious Hawaiian waters and nearly not coming back up.
    Ryan Coleman Published, EW.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Vera Institute's advocacy arm Vera Action, for example, assessed that the the GOP spent more than $1 billion attacking Democrats on crime and immigration in 2024, while Democrats spent roughly $319 million on advertisements that played up their public safety records.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Cardi also dropped a trailer for the album, showing her inside a house as crows swarm and attack her mansion.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Each villain’s legacy led to the establishment of a specific dormitory at Night Raven College, creating distinct magical communities within the academy.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025
  • In the preview build, there were two levels: the streets of New York culminating in a fight with the villain Beetle, and the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier that ends with a showdown with Taskmaster.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Savage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savage. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on savage

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!