Today, using the term to describe people is widely recognized as harmful and outdated. Here’s why, and how we can communicate more respectfully. When colonizers and explorers encountered Indigenous peoples around the world, they used the word “savages” to justify conquest, enslavement, and genocide. The logic was simple and false: label a group of people as “uncivilized,” “brutish,” or “less than human,” and any violence against them could be framed as a moral duty.

| If you mean… | Instead of “savages” or “savage” | Try this… | |--------------|----------------------------------|------------| | Very cruel or violent behavior | “A savage attack” | A brutal, vicious, or barbaric attack | | Lack of civilization (in a historical sense) | “Savage tribes” | Pre-colonial societies, Indigenous peoples (be specific: Apache, Māori, Sami, etc.) | | Wild, untamed nature | “Savage wilderness” | Untamed, rugged, pristine, or fierce landscape | | A fierce sports play or competition | “That was savage!” | Intense, aggressive, ruthless, or dominant | | Someone acting rudely or brutally | “Those fans were savages” | Destructive, out of control, or vile behavior | | An unflinching criticism or joke | “A savage roast” | Brutally honest, cutting, or hilariously merciless (this use is often fine, as it describes the act , not a people) |

When you describe someone’s actions, you can be fierce. When you describe a landscape, you can be vivid. But when you label a person or group, choose words that honor their complexity and dignity.