savage

1 of 3adjective

/ˈsævɪdʒ/

Forms:more savage,most savage

1

wild and uncontrollable in force or behavior

The savage wolf attacked without warning.
The jungle was home to many savage beasts.
The river's savage currents swept away the boat.
A savage storm destroyed the coastal village.

Synonyms:

feral untamed ferine

2

showing extreme cruelty or a lack of compassion

The attack on the village was a savage display of violence.
The dictator's savage rule left the country in ruins.
The savage treatment of prisoners shocked the world.

Synonyms:

cruel fierce aggressive vicious roughshod barbarous brutal barbaric ferocious fell

3

(of a person) living in a raw, undeveloped state without organized society or culture

The explorers believed the island was inhabited by savage tribes.
Ancient writings often described outsiders as savage and untamed.
He viewed their customs as savage due to his lack of understanding.
The colonizers wrongly labeled the indigenous people as savage.
Stories of savage warriors spread fear among neighboring villages.

Synonyms:

uncivilized barbarian uncivilised wild barbaric

4

wild and violent in nature

The savage storm battered the coastline, leaving destruction in its wake.
The savage heat of the desert made it nearly uninhabitable for humans.
The wildfire caused savage destruction across the region.
Losing his job was a savage setback for his family.
The storm dealt a savage blow to the coastline.

Synonyms:

severe intense fierce grave vehement excruciating deep furious extreme profound wicked ferocious

5

bold, fearless, or impressively blunt, often used as playful praise

She made a savage move in the game and won.
He's savage for speaking his mind like that.
That roast was absolutely savage.
She delivered a savage performance on stage.
That outfit choice is savage, I love it.