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savage

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

noun

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Synonyms & Antonyms of savage

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 a mean, evil, or unprincipled person

what kind of savage would hurt a baby?

Synonyms for savage

Words Related to savage

villainess

blackguard

Near Antonyms for savage

hero

2 an uncivilized person

inhabitants of exotic lands were invariably portrayed by early travel writers as savages

Synonyms for savage

Words Related to savage

noble savage

savage

adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms of savage (Entry 2 of 3)

1 not civilized

Tarzan is usually portrayed as a noble but savage warrior of the jungle

Synonyms for savage

Words Related to savage

Near Antonyms for savage

semicivilized

Antonyms for savage

civilized

2 having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others

a savage attack on a helpless person

Synonyms for savage

Words Related to savage

Phrases Synonymous with savage

red in tooth and claw

Near Antonyms for savage

Antonyms for savage

3 living outdoors without taming or domestication by humans

savage beasts that seemed threatening to the tourists

Synonyms for savage

Words Related to savage

Near Antonyms for savage

Antonyms for savage

4 violently unfriendly or aggressive in disposition

early explorers avoided those areas that were rumored to be inhabited by savage natives

Synonyms for savage

Words Related to savage

Near Antonyms for savage

human,
humane

Antonyms for savage

savage

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of savage (Entry 3 of 3)

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

book reviewers mercilessly savaged his latest novel

Synonyms for savage

Words Related to savage

Phrases Synonymous with savage

Near Antonyms for savage

Frequently Asked Questions About savage

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