savage 1 of 3

Definition of savagenext

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
Why did 12-year veteran Maden and 14-year veteran Algerio savage longstanding body camera policies? Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026 My first indication of danger came when a savage gust of wind hit us broad side. Jim Hoagland, Outdoor Life, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Initially a beachy utopia where the children run free among nature, things become increasingly savage as help appears to be ever further away. Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026 Pumpkin’s lonely holiday ritual is interrupted by the arrival of a savage gang of raiders at her doorstep led by Thalia (Sossamon). Brent Lang, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
For months, the two right-wing media stars had been savaging each other on their respective platforms. Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026 The Blue Bag program went ahead despite being savaged by critics for years throughout its planning stages, and was not considered a success when it was scrapped more than a dozen years later for the city's current blue cart program. Adam Harrington, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for savage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for savage
Noun
  • Oscillating between a bumbling brute and an ironic ignoramus, Marvel Studios sees the God of Thunder more like the God of Blunder, kicking out the knees of the steady 2011 film in favour of single-digit IQ humour.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 6 May 2026
  • This time the closing hole was a brute, the toughest at Harbour Town on Sunday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In the series adaptation, from creator, executive producer and co-showrunner Turner (Up In The Air, X-Men First Class), a ruthless and crass barbarian is cursed to only use his violence for good, which sends him, his talking axe and a young witch on a road of self discovery, redemption and revenge.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 May 2026
  • Created by Mike Moreci and Nathan Gooden and edited by Adrian Wassel, Barbaric centers on a ruthless and crass barbarian who is cursed to only use his violence for good, which sends him, his talking axe and a young witch, on a road of self-discovery, redemption and revenge.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Petrie didn’t only celebrate his own hits but pointed to rival shows like Sky’s Saturday Night Live UK and Prime Video’s Last One Laughing as proof that British comedy is in rude health.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 May 2026
  • Elizabeth continues to be an infuriating character, interrupting with rude and unhelpful asides throughout the entire family meeting, casually gnawing on an orange slice as Greg and Katie have a heart-to-heart across the table.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 11 May 2026
Adjective
  • The creature-feature horror film plunges into the jungles of the Dominican Republic, where a group of road workers battling brutal conditions encounter the Ciguapa — a terrifying figure from local folklore with backward feet and the power to possess men through her gaze.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 15 May 2026
  • Anyone familiar with the show knows what comes next probably won't be pretty, but even diehard fans will be shocked by how brutal Scattered Hopes can be.
    Ian Stokes, Space.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • One of them is home to Sylvie (Isabelle Huppert), a prickly author who is supposed to be getting ready to move out but has instead descended into such a semi-feral state while working on her latest novel that her niece, Laurence (India Hair), hires someone to help her out.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 May 2026
  • The old mining town of Oatman, known for its feral donkeys, is on the way.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Adjective
  • The first wave of women’s-rights activists won suffrage for women, against ferocious and sometimes violent opposition.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
  • Featuring aching, ferocious performances from Emmy winners Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, Camp Miasma imagines the resurrection of a dormant slasher franchise.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, supporters insist their goal is not to attack a student, but to defend women’s sports.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
  • Both sides accuse the other of intentionally attacking civilian targets.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Similarly, Sage’s (Susan Heyward) reverse heel turn and Ashley’s (Colby Minifie) life-saving assistance in the West Wing are apparently good enough deeds to spare these savory villains a more commensurate sentence.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
  • John Boyega's ex-Stormtrooper Finn and Han are brothers from another mother, Oscar Isaac's pilot Poe is as cool and refreshing as a tall glass of blue milk, and Adam Driver's Kylo does his best Vader impression as a maniacal villain with some serious emotional issues.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Savage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/savage. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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