Meaning & use

savage

adjective·Advanced

Extremely violent, fierce, or brutal in behavior or attack.

See it in a sentence

The report described a savage attack on the small village by armed raiders.

Critics gave the film a savage review, calling it a total waste of talent.

A note on using this word

Historically savage was used, offensively, to describe supposedly uncivilized peoples; in modern usage it typically describes extreme violence, harsh criticism, or, in slang, something impressively bold.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

gentlemild

Another way to use it

2. noun

A wild or fierce animal, or, historically and offensively, a term for a supposedly uncivilized person.

The wolf attacked its prey like a savage.

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