as in savage
not civilized
people who were regarded as barbarian by the ancient Romans
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in primitive
an uncivilized person
the invading Germanic tribes were viewed as barbarians by the citizens of ancient Rome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of barbarian
Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2024
The Amazigh, or Berber people—the term used by foreigners, comes from the same Latin root as barbarian—are the Indigenous people of North Africa.
—Saki Knafo, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2023
Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2024
Given the dearth of direct evidence for stimulant use among the barbarians of Europe, the researchers decided to look for indirect clues.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for barbarian
Adjective
Column of Marcus Aurelius was erected in AD 180 to commemorate his victories over the barbarian tribes of the Danube.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2024
The Amazigh, or Berber people—the term used by foreigners, comes from the same Latin root as barbarian—are the Indigenous people of North Africa.
—Saki Knafo, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Jan. 2023
Noun
Lucius comes into his uneasy heritage after defeat in the erroneous homeland where he is considered a barbarian.
—Armond White, National Review, 6 Dec. 2024
Given the dearth of direct evidence for stimulant use among the barbarians of Europe, the researchers decided to look for indirect clues.
—Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for barbarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbarian
Adjective
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As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
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The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
Noun
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Burlington Antique Show Browse more than 200 dealers of antiques, vintage jewelry, primitives, garden and architectural elements, mid-century collectibles, memorabilia, Americana and retro/vintage furniture at this monthly outdoor antique market.—
Luann Gibbs,
The Enquirer,
14 Aug. 2024
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It can be used to achieve a lot of other cryptographic primitives.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
1 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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The move garnered mixed reactions, with many calling out Brown for his rude tone and choice of words.—
Jessica Bennett,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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Shift The Focus To Collaboration Sometimes, rude colleagues act out of insecurity or stress.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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New Zealand winemakers have experimented with different styles of Sauvignon Blanc, including oak aging, barrel fermentation, and wild/natural fermentation, among other things, providing a broader range of styles to meet diverse consumer preferences.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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Night 2 also offered a fresh addendum to an existing favorite piece of animation: their signature skeleton’s wild chopper ride.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The president and his defenders say barbaric treatment is necessary to combat a pervasive gang problem in the country.—
Greg Dixon,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2025
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The most criminal and barbaric ‘migrant horde’ to invade America was from Europe.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Any slip-up or act of insubordination, no matter how small, results in immediate death from the barbarous SS members running the camp.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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Experts told PolitiFact such narratives painting Haiti as a barbarous country are not new and are racist attempts to dehumanize Haitians.—
Jeff Cercone,
Austin American-Statesman,
14 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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Under the Omanis, Zanzibar grew rich selling spices, ivory, and slaves, mostly non-Muslims from the interior, whom the island’s élites derided as washenzi, or uncivilized.—
Julian Lucas,
The New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2022
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Forcing a woman to choose between jail and carrying her rapist's baby is uncivilized and medieval.—
CNN,
CNN,
27 June 2022
Cite this Entry
“Barbarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbarian. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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