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Definitions

savage

[sav-ij] / ˈsæv ɪdʒ /
ADJECTIVE
wild, untamed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
barbaric crude fierce turbulent
STRONG
barbarian lupine natural primitive rough
WEAK
bestial feral in a state of nature primeval primordial rude unbroken uncivilized uncultivated uncultured undomesticated unmodified unrestrained
Antonyms
STRONGEST
domesticated peaceful tame
STRONG
calm civilized cultured gentle polished
WEAK
polite refined sophisticated
ADJECTIVE
cruel, vicious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
atrocious barbarous bloody brutal cold-blooded destructive ferocious fierce harsh inhuman inhumane merciless murderous relentless ruthless sadistic unrelenting violent
STRONG
crazed demoniac infernal raging ravening
WEAK
beastly bestial bloodthirsty brutish devilish diabolical feral ferine frantic furious grim heartless hellish malevolent malicious pitiless rabid rapacious remorseless truculent wolfish
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compassionate gentle humane kind merciful nice polite sympathetic tender
WEAK
benign

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a third-quarter that made you rub your eyes in disbelief, Scotland were adventurous and attritional; lethal in scoring tries and savage in the collision areas.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

I knew the rough distances of the stages and the distance between aid stations, but we were out here for a primal, even savage experience, and sometimes the distances were off.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Fears that artificial intelligence products will butcher the business models of software-as-a-service companies has caused savage selling in their stocks.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

“We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens,” he said during his acceptance speech.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2026

“I hate this stupid lock,” she mutters, giving it a savage yank.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

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