wolflike
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Resembling a wolf in appearance, behavior, or characteristics: Having qualities that are typical of or similar to a wolf. 2. Characteristically wolfish: Exhibiting traits considered characteristic of a wolf, such as fierceness, rapacity, or a pack mentality.
Usage and Examples
Descriptive of Appearance:
- The dog had a wolflike appearance, with pointed ears and a thick, gray coat.
- Her wolflike eyes seemed to gleam in the dark.
Descriptive of Behavior or Nature:
- The hunters moved with a wolflike stealth through the forest.
- He was accused of wolflike greed in his business dealings.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: Often used metaphorically to describe human behavior that is perceived as predatory, fiercely competitive, or ruthlessly efficient.
- The corporation's wolflike tactics eliminated all competition.
- There was a wolflike hunger in his ambition.
Variants and Related Words
- Wolfish (adjective): Very similar in meaning to "wolflike," often implying a fierce, menacing, or ravenous quality.
- He flashed a wolfish grin.
- Lupine (adjective): A more formal or literary synonym meaning "of, relating to, or resembling a wolf."
- The creature had a lupine grace.
Synonyms
- Wolfish
- Lupine
- Predatory (when referring to behavior)
- Feral (suggesting a wild, undomesticated nature)
Notes on Meaning
- The term "wolflike" can carry both neutral descriptive connotations (simply resembling a wolf) and negative connotations (implying a vicious or insatiable nature), depending on context.
- It is often used in zoology, literature, and figurative descriptions.
Adjective
- resembling or characteristic (or considered characteristic) of a wolf
- ran in wolflike packs
- wolfish rapacity