Savaging: meaning, definitions and examples

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savaging

 

[ ˈsavɪdʒɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

action, attack

Savaging refers to the act of attacking or inflicting serious harm on someone or something. It can describe both physical assaults, as well as severe criticism or verbal attacks. The term often conveys a sense of viciousness or brutality. It is frequently used to illustrate how someone is overwhelmed or destroyed by an onslaught, whether literally or metaphorically.

Synonyms

assault, attack, criticize, maul, torn apart

Examples of usage

  • The lion was savaging its prey in the wilderness.
  • The critic was savaging the film's plot with harsh remarks.
  • He felt like the media was savaging his reputation.
  • The storm was savaging the coastal town, leaving destruction in its wake.

Translations

Translations of the word "savaging" in other languages:

🇵🇹 devorar

🇮🇳 नाश करना

🇩🇪 verderben

🇮🇩 menghancurkan

🇺🇦 знищення

🇵🇱 dewastacja

🇯🇵 破壊する

🇫🇷 ravager

🇪🇸 devastación

🇹🇷 yıkım

🇰🇷 파괴하다

🇸🇦 تدمير

🇨🇿 zkáza

🇸🇰 zničenie

🇨🇳 破坏

🇸🇮 uničenje

🇮🇸 eyðing

🇰🇿 жою

🇬🇪 განადგურება

🇦🇿 məhv etmə

🇲🇽 devastación

Etymology

The word 'savaging' is derived from the Old French word 'sauvage', which means 'wild' or 'untamed'. This in turn comes from the Latin 'silvaticus', which means 'of the woods', derived from 'silva', meaning 'forest'. The use of 'savage' in its modern context evolved through Middle French, where it was used to describe a fierce or brutish nature. Over time, the term began to encompass not only wild animals and people but also metaphorical applications to describe harsh criticisms or attacks. The evolution of the term reflects societal changes in how we perceive 'wildness' and aggression, moving from purely physical connotations to include emotional and verbal expressions.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,210, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.