wolfish

[wool-fish]

adjective

1. resembling a wolf, as in form or characteristics.

2. characteristic of or befitting a wolf; fiercely rapacious.

Other Word Forms

• wolfishly adverb
• wolfishness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wolfish¹

First recorded in 1560–70; wolf + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

“Do not listen, little future person! Behaving like a wild animal is all very well for your father’s wolfish wards, but it will never do for the heir to this great estate!”

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The odd, wolfish duet floated through the air: this time it was a pair of high-pitched, girlish howls, followed by a deep and manly one.

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She smiled hugely, baring her pearly white teeth in what could only be called a wolfish grin.

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From the back of her shroudlike garments poked a long, wolfish tail.

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But in April, Colossal announced a more substantial, still pretty cute achievement: the alleged de-extinction of the dire wolf, in the form of three wolfish pups named Romulus, Remus and Khaleesi.

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Related Words

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• barbarous 
• bloody 
• brutal 
• cold-blooded 
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• fierce 
• harsh 
• inhuman 
• inhumane 
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• murderous 
• relentless 
• ruthless 
• sadistic 
• unrelenting 
• violent