savagery

noun

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

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 Gorman, who oversees all federal prosecutions in Western Washington, said the investigation unearthed a massive drug network that stood out for its savagery. Beth Warren, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024 The reports of what Hamas fighters did across towns and kibbutzim in southern Israel recalled the cruelty and savagery of the Islamic State’s rampage. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023 At the center of Tony Manero (2008) is fifty-two-year-old Raúl, whose determination to win a John Travolta look-alike contest drives him to crime amid the savagery of 1970s Chile. Francine Prose, The New York Review of Books, 28 Dec. 2023 Through it all, Efron battles with ever-increasing savagery in the ring, trying desperately to keep a lid on his feelings. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 14 Dec. 2023 As the magnitude of Hamas’s savagery came into view, IDF commanders directed his unit of reservists to prepare for action. Alex Horton, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023 When Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7, the scale and savagery shocked the world. Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 And to this day, 36 days after the worst savagery perpetrated on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, the Palestinian Authority president has yet – refuses to condemn the savagery. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2023 The sheer animal savagery of Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel shocked much of the world. Danielle Pletka, National Review, 27 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'savagery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near savagery

Cite this Entry

“Savagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savagery. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on savagery

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