Barbaric — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /bär-ˈber-ik/ bar·bar·ic

Meaning & Definition of Barbaric

Barbaric (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a group of people who are alien to another land, culture, or people and who are usually believed to be inferior, of, relating to, or characteristic of barbarians
  2. possessing or characteristic of a cultural level more complex than primitive culture but less sophisticated than advanced civilization
  3. marked by a lack of restraint, wild

Barbaric (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others

    "a barbaric dictator who tortured his own people with no qualms"

    similar: atrocious, barbarous, brutal, brute, butcherly, cruel, fiendish, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, sadistic, savage, truculent, vicious, wanton, red in tooth and claw
    related: hard-hearted, ironhearted, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, stonyhearted, unfeeling, fell, ferocious, grim, bloodthirsty, cutthroat, murderous, sanguinary, sanguine, catty, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vindictive, draconian, draconic, hardhanded, harsh, heavy-handed, oppressive
    opposite: benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted
    near: tender, warm, warmhearted, charitable, clement, lenient, merciful, pitying, pacific, peaceable, peaceful

  2. not civilized

    "the barbaric forebears of modern mankind"

    similar: barbarian, barbarous, heathen, heathenish, natural, Neanderthal, rude, savage, uncivil, uncivilized, uncultivated, wild
    related: coarse, crude, primitive, rough, uncouth, uncultured
    opposite: civilized
    near: cultured, enlightened, humane, sophisticated, genteel, polished, polite, refined, urbane, well-bred, semicivilized

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Barbaric

The most common words with a similar meaning to Barbaric:

atrocious, barbarous, brutal, brute, butcherly, cruel, fiendish, heartless, inhuman, inhumane, sadistic, savage, truculent, vicious, wanton, barbarian, heathen, heathenish, natural, Neanderthal, rude, uncivil, uncivilized, uncultivated, wild, red in tooth and claw

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Barbaric

Words with the opposite meaning of Barbaric:

benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted, sympathetic, tenderhearted, civilized

Related Words for Barbaric

hard-hearted, ironhearted, merciless, pitiless, ruthless, stonyhearted, unfeeling, fell, ferocious, grim, bloodthirsty, cutthroat, murderous, sanguinary, sanguine, catty, despiteful, hateful, malevolent, malicious, malign, malignant, mean, nasty, spiteful, vindictive, draconian, draconic, hardhanded, harsh

Near Antonyms of Barbaric

tender, warm, warmhearted, charitable, clement, lenient, merciful, pitying, pacific, peaceable, peaceful, cultured, enlightened, sophisticated, genteel, polished, polite, refined, urbane, well-bred, semicivilized

Word Forms of Barbaric

Derived words: barbarically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Barbaric

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Barbaric

What does "Barbaric" mean?

"Barbaric" means of, relating to, or characteristic of a group of people who are alien to another land, culture, or people and who are usually believed to be inferior, of, relating to, or characteristic of barbarians. As an adjective, it is defined as: of, relating to, or characteristic of a group of people who are alien to another land, culture, or people and who are usually believed to be inferior, of, relating to, or characteristic of barbarians. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Barbaric"?

Other words for "Barbaric" include atrocious, barbarous, brutal, brute, butcherly, cruel, fiendish and heartless. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Barbaric" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Barbaric"?

There are 64 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Barbaric". Common alternatives include atrocious, barbarous, brutal, brute, butcherly, cruel, fiendish, heartless, inhuman and inhumane.

What is the opposite of "Barbaric"?

Antonyms of "Barbaric" include benign, benignant, compassionate, good-hearted, humane, kind, kindhearted and sympathetic. Near antonyms include tender, warm, warmhearted and charitable.

How do you use "Barbaric" in a sentence?

Examples of "Barbaric" in a sentence: "a barbaric dictator who tortured his own people with no qualms"; "the barbaric forebears of modern mankind".

Is "Barbaric" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Barbaric" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Barbaric"?

"Barbaric" is pronounced /bär-ˈber-ik/ and divided into syllables as bar·bar·ic.

What is the origin of the word "Barbaric"?

First known use: 15th century.