wolfish

[ wool-fish ]

adjective

1. resembling a wolf, as in form or characteristics.
2. characteristic of or befitting a wolf; fiercely rapacious.

Other Words From

• wolfish·ly adverb
• wolfish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wolfish¹

First recorded in 1560–70; wolf + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

From the hall leading to the courtyard, the Wolf King walked into the room in his human form, grinning his wolfish grin.

From Literature

He’s several years younger than Adam but considerably more forthright, and Mescal exudes an almost wolfish hunger that at once pulls Adam in and frightens him off.

From Los Angeles Times

Directed by Kenny Leon, it also gave its stars great, rangy roles to chew: Leslie Odom Jr. as the wolfish Purlie, a preacher who becomes, in essence, a prosecutor; and Kara Young, usually seen in dramas, as a daffy yokel finding the sweet spot where Lucille Ball meets Moms Mabley.

From New York Times

Shane's voice was dangerous, dark, exciting, wolfish, a sound once heard never forgotten.

From BBC

For two decades, James Marsden has crafted memorable characters — many affable, some wolfish — in high-profile films and television shows.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• atrocious
• barbarous
• bloody
• brutal
• cold-blooded
• destructive
• ferocious
• fierce
• harsh
• inhuman
• inhumane
• merciless
• murderous
• relentless
• ruthless
• sadistic
• unrelenting
• violent