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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.

She is used to tough questions - but nothing quite so savage and personal as this.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

All would be lost, however, without Mays’ quicksilver brilliance — the way he can shift from savage irony to vindictive rage to godless despair in the space of a line.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Europe’s savage self-destruction reunited techne and themis: the technologies of the Industrial Revolution and the ideologies of the French Revolution.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 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

It was a feeling, a tenderness in the sweetly savage brotherhood of athletics that came very seldom.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

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