Standard Lemma guide

savageness

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The property of being savage or behaving savagely.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the property of being untamed and ferocious

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the coastline is littered with testaments to the savageness of the waters
  • a craving for barbaric splendor, for savagery and color and the throb of drums

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: savagery

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: ferocity, fierceness, furiousness, fury, vehemence, violence, wildness

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English savage Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English savageness From savage + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Wildheit — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • German: Roheit — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • German: Grausamkeit — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • German: Wut — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • German: Bissigkeit — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • Ancient Greek: θηριότης (thēriótēs) — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • Hindi: क्रूरता (krūrtā) — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • Hindi: बर्बरता (barbartā) — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • Latin: saevitia — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery
  • Spanish: selvatiquez — property of behaving savagely — see also savagery