savage adjective Extremely violent, fierce, or brutal in behavior or attack. The report described a savage attack on the small village by armed raiders. + savagery noun Extreme and cruel violence or brutality. Historians described the savagery of the battle in shocking detail. + civilization noun A complex society with organized government, cities, and shared culture, or human society as a whole. Ancient Egyptian civilization developed along the fertile banks of the Nile River. + chaos noun Complete disorder and confusion, often with no clear pattern or organization. The power outage plunged the entire office into total chaos. + primal adjective Relating to a most basic, primitive, or instinctive state, especially from an early stage of existence. The scream expressed a primal fear that no words could describe. + taunt verb To provoke or mock someone with insulting remarks in order to anger or upset them. The rival fans taunted the losing team as they walked off the field. + mirage noun An optical illusion, often of water or distant objects, caused by the bending of light in hot air. The exhausted travelers thought they saw a lake, but it was only a desert mirage. + conch noun A large sea snail with a spiral shell, or the shell itself, sometimes used as a horn. He found a pink conch shell washed up on the beach after the storm. + chant noun A repeated rhythmic phrase or tune, often sung or shouted by a group, or the act of performing one. The crowd broke into a chant, repeating the team's name over and over. + ritual noun A set of actions performed in a fixed order, especially as part of a ceremony, tradition, or habit. The wedding included several traditional rituals passed down through generations of the family. + hierarchy noun A system that ranks people or things in order of status, authority, or importance. The company's hierarchy places the CEO above all regional managers. + anarchy noun A state of disorder resulting from the absence or breakdown of government and authority. The city descended into anarchy after the police force abandoned its posts during the riots. + mutiny noun An open rebellion by soldiers or sailors against the authority of their officers. The crew planned a mutiny after months of unpaid wages and cruel treatment. + ominous adjective Suggesting that something bad or threatening is likely to happen soon. Dark, ominous clouds gathered on the horizon just before the storm hit the coast. + malevolent adjective Having or showing a desire to cause harm to others. The villain's malevolent smile slowly revealed his true dark intentions. + ferocious adjective Extremely fierce, violent, or aggressive in nature or behavior. A ferocious storm tore roofs off houses along the coast overnight. + incantation noun A series of words spoken or chanted as a magic spell or ritual formula. The witch in the story muttered an incantation over the bubbling cauldron. + taboo noun A social or religious custom that forbids or restricts a particular practice, word, or behavior. Discussing salaries openly is still something of a taboo in many workplaces. + rescue verb To save someone or something from a dangerous, harmful, or otherwise difficult situation. Firefighters rescued the family from the top floor moments before the roof collapsed. + castaway noun A person stranded, usually on a deserted island, after a shipwreck or accident. The castaway built a small shelter from driftwood and palm leaves. + decree noun An official order or decision issued by an authority, having the force of law. The king issued a decree banning the export of grain during the famine. + authority noun The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience within a given area. The manager had the authority to approve refunds without asking her supervisor. + democracy noun A system of government in which citizens hold power, typically through voting for representatives. The nation transitioned from military rule to democracy after years of protest. + tribal adjective Relating to a tribe, or characterized by strong loyalty to one's own group over outsiders. The museum displayed a collection of tribal masks and ceremonial drums. + brutality noun Extreme and cruel violence or harshness in behavior or treatment. The documentary exposed the brutality faced by prisoners in the camp. + innate adjective Existing in a person or animal from birth, rather than acquired through experience or learning. Some scientists believe humans have an innate sense of fairness. + primitive adjective Belonging to an early stage of development, especially simple, basic, or lacking modern technology. The explorers survived using only primitive tools they crafted from stone and wood. + conscience noun An inner sense that helps a person judge the moral rightness or wrongness of their own actions. His conscience wouldn't let him keep the extra change the cashier had mistakenly given him. +