savagely
/'sævidʤli/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a violent, cruel, or ferocious manner: Acting with extreme brutality or aggression, often suggesting a lack of restraint or humanity.
- In a harsh, severe, or fiercely critical manner: Expressing something with intense sharpness or bitterness.
Usage and Examples
Describing violent physical action:
- The lion savagely attacked its prey. (The lion attacked its prey with extreme ferocity and brutality.)
- He was savagely beaten by the intruders. (He was beaten by the intruders in a cruel and violent way.)
Describing harsh speech or criticism:
- The critic savagely tore apart the author's new novel. (The critic reviewed the novel with severe and biting harshness.)
- She turned and savagely denounced their hypocrisy. (She denounced their hypocrisy with fierce and bitter words.)
Advanced Usage and Nuance
- "Savagely" often implies a level of violence or intensity that is shocking or beyond the norm. It can describe actions that are not just aggressive but seem primal or unrestrained.
- It can be used metaphorically to describe non-physical actions, such as criticism or competition, that are conducted with exceptional fierceness.
- The two companies are savagely competing for market share. (The companies are competing with intense and ruthless aggression.)
Variants and Related Words
- Savage (adjective): Extremely violent, cruel, or fierce.
- a savage beast
- Savage (verb): To attack or criticize ferociously.
- The press savaged the politician's proposal.
- Savage (noun): An offensive and outdated term for a person perceived as primitive or uncivilized.
- Savagery (noun): The quality of being savage; brutal violence.
- the savagery of the assault
Synonyms
- Brutally: In a manner that is cruel, violent, and without mercy.
- Ferociously: In a fiercely violent or aggressive manner.
- Viciously: In a cruel or malicious manner, with a desire to harm.
- Fiercely: With a powerful and intense force or emotion.
Antonyms
- Gently: In a mild, kind, or soft manner.
- Humanely: In a way that shows compassion and benevolence.
- Peacefully: In a calm and non-violent manner.
Idiomatic Expressions and Phrases
- To turn savagely on someone: To suddenly attack or criticize someone with great ferocity.
- After the betrayal, he turned savagely on his former allies.
- Cut savagely: To reduce something with severe and damaging force (often used metaphorically).
- The budget cuts savagely affected social programs.
Adverb
- wildly; like an animal
- she cried out savagely
- in a vicious manner
- he was viciously attacked