Barbarous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈbär-b(ə-)rəs/ bar·ba·rous

Meaning & Definition of Barbarous

Barbarous (adjective)

  1. uncivilized
  2. lacking culture or refinement, philistine
  3. characterized by the occurrence of barbarisms

Barbarous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

    "a monarch resorting to whatever barbarous means he deemed necessary to protect his throne"

    similar: atrocious, barbaric, 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

    "an aunt who abhors barbarous behavior such as eating with your fingers"

    similar: barbarian, barbaric, 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 Barbarous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Barbarous:

atrocious, barbaric, 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 Barbarous

Words with the opposite meaning of Barbarous:

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

Related Words for Barbarous

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 Barbarous

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 Barbarous

Derived words: barbarously (adverb), barbarousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Barbarous

Latin barbarus, from Greek barbaros foreign, ignorant

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Barbarous

What does "Barbarous" mean?

"Barbarous" means uncivilized. As an adjective, it is defined as: uncivilized. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Barbarous"?

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

What are different ways to say "Barbarous"?

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

What is the opposite of "Barbarous"?

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

How do you use "Barbarous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Barbarous" in a sentence: "a monarch resorting to whatever barbarous means he deemed necessary to protect his throne"; "an aunt who abhors barbarous behavior such as eating with your fingers".

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

"Barbarous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Barbarous"?

"Barbarous" is pronounced /ˈbär-b(ə-)rəs/ and divided into syllables as bar·ba·rous.

What is the origin of the word "Barbarous"?

"Barbarous" comes from Latin barbarus, from Greek barbaros foreign, ignorant. First known use: 15th century.