savagery

noun

sav·​age·​ry ˈsa-vi-jə-rē How to pronounce savagery (audio)
ˈsa-vij-rē
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
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.
Hamas’s savagery was backed by an aggressive Iran that is supported by the authoritarian axis; as such, October 7 was a direct assault on the free world. Ari Shavit, Foreign Affairs, 5 Oct. 2024 The point of all that money, like of the attack on Porter, has been to draw attention to Silicon Valley’s financial might—and to prove that its leaders are capable of political savagery in order to protect their interests. Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 There is no real bloodshed in Red Rooms, but there is a kind of spiritual savagery. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Oct. 2024 Of course this hardly justifies the savagery that Russia has abetted in fighting over the Donbas. Robert David English, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2017 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

Dictionary Entries Near savagery

Cite this Entry

“Savagery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/savagery. Accessed 1 Dec. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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