Associations

The word "savage" has a strong meaning, often describing something that is fierce, brutal, or wild. It can also refer to harsh criticism or behavior. Think of it as something that is untamed or unrestrained.

• In nature, a lion could be seen as a savage predator. This shows the fierce and untamed aspect of the word.
• The movie received savage reviews for its poor acting. Here, it describes very harsh criticism aimed at the film.
• She made a savage comeback during the argument. This implies that her response was very bold and possibly hurtful, showing no mercy.

The word "savage" can be seen as synonymous with "fierce," but "savage" has a stronger idea of being wild or brutal, while "fierce" can sometimes refer to strong and passionate energy without the same level of harshness or violence.

Substitution

You could use several words instead of "savage," and each would slightly change the meaning:

• Brutal: This word emphasizes harmful violence or cruelty.
• Ferocious: This suggests extreme fierceness, often related to animal behavior.
• Harsh: This indicates something very severe, especially in criticism, but lacks the wild connotation.

Each of these substitutions will give a different focus on what you mean, so it's important to choose one that best fits the situation.