savage

[ sav-ij ]
/ ˈsæv ɪdʒ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR savage ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

noun

verb (used with object), sav·aged, sav·ag·ing.

to assault and maul by biting, rending, goring, etc.; tear at or mutilate: numerous sheep savaged by dogs.
to attack or criticize thoroughly or remorselessly; excoriate: a play savaged by the critics.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of savage

1250–1300; Middle English savage, sauvage (adj.) < Middle French sauvage, salvage < Medieval Latin salvāticus, for Latin silvāticus, equivalent to silv(a) woods + -āticus adj. suffix

synonym study for savage

1. See cruel.

OTHER WORDS FROM savage

Words nearby savage

sauve qui peut, sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, sav, sava, savage, savage's station, savagery, savagism, savaii, savanna

Definition for savage (2 of 2)

Savage
[ sav-ij ]
/ ˈsæv ɪdʒ /

noun

Michael Joseph,1872–1940, New Zealand statesman and labor leader: prime minister 1935–40.
Richard,1697?–1743, English poet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to savage

ferocious, harsh, turbulent, vicious, brutal, crude, barbaric, fierce, unrelenting, barbarous, murderous, ruthless, atrocious, inhuman, bloody, violent, cold-blooded, sadistic, destructive, relentless

Example sentences from the Web for savage

British Dictionary definitions for savage (1 of 2)

savage
/ (ˈsævɪdʒ) /

adjective

noun

verb (tr)

to criticize violently
to attack ferociously and woundthe dog savaged the child

Derived forms of savage

savagedom, nounsavagely, adverbsavageness, noun

Word Origin for savage

C13: from Old French sauvage, from Latin silvāticus belonging to a wood, from silva a wood

British Dictionary definitions for savage (2 of 2)

Savage
/ (ˈsævɪdʒ) /

noun

Michael Joseph. 1872-1940, New Zealand statesman; prime minister of New Zealand (1935-40)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012