savagery

Everyday

1. Very cruel and violent behaviour. tree →
2. Fierce wildness, as in the savagery of a storm or a wild animal attack. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons about wars, savagery means great cruelty. In nature films, the savagery of a predator's attack. In stories it tells the reader something is shocking and brutal. Note: in old books «savage» was used as an insulting word for people of other cultures; today we know that was wrong and unkind.

Examples

• The savagery of the battle shocked everyone. tree →
• The storm hit the coast with savagery. tree →
• The lion attacked with sudden savagery. tree →
• People were horrified by the savagery of the crime. tree →
• The book shows the savagery of war. tree →
• The weasels fought with savagery, but Badger's band won. tree →
• They pursued him with a savagery which he could not distinguish from hatred, and they swished him well whenever they got the chance. tree →

Note

From «savage» + «-ry». Uncountable. Old books calling whole peoples «savages» show a wrong, racist idea that is not accepted today.