savagery

noun

sav·​age·​ry ˈsa-vi-jə-rē How to pronounce savagery (audio)
ˈsa-vij-rē
plural savageries
Synonyms of savagerynext
1
a
: the quality of being savage
b
: an act of cruelty or violence
2
: an uncivilized state

Synonyms

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Examples of savagery in a Sentence

The savagery of the attack was horrifying. an act of pure savagery the savageries committed by the soldiers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That frenzied feeding in the churning water, the savagery and pointlessness of appetite. — Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025 The savagery of the satire and the humor of the animation, modeled after Feiffer’s drawings, make this cartoon as funny as a Mark Twain story. — Jeremy Fassler, Vulture, 2 Mar. 2025 Unlike his sister Athena (who was associated with military strategy and other relatively civilized aspects of warfare), Ares represented pure savagery. — Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2025 First of all, of course, the savagery of the crime. — Hazlitt, 26 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for savagery

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of savagery was circa 1616

Rhymes for savagery

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Browse Nearby Words

savagerous
savagery
savagism
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Cite this Entry

“Savagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savagery. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

savagery

noun
sav·​age·​ry ˈsav-ij-(ə-)rē How to pronounce savagery (audio)
plural savageries
1
: savage disposition or action : cruelty
2
: the state of being savage

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Nglish: Translation of savagery for Spanish Speakers

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