1
as in brutal
having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others
a barbaric dictator who tortured his own people with no qualms
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in barbarian
not civilized
the barbaric forebears of modern mankind
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Recent Examples of barbaric
Then there's all the additional atrocities she's been exposed to this season, like the barbaric violence of the Legion.
—
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
These brave people have been risking their lives daily to protest this barbaric regime for more than two weeks now.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
Along with being a barbaric and disgraceful method of caring for people with severe mental illness, jails are not a long-term option.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025
Other states’ ‘Black Laws’ Southern legislatures imposed barbaric laws on Black residents, whether enslaved or free, for centuries.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbaric
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
These brave people have been risking their lives daily to protest this barbaric regime for more than two weeks now.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
Along with being a barbaric and disgraceful method of caring for people with severe mental illness, jails are not a long-term option.
—Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025
Other states’ ‘Black Laws’ Southern legislatures imposed barbaric laws on Black residents, whether enslaved or free, for centuries.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbaric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbaric
Adjective
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Still, the timeline for elimination came as news to guard Josh Giddey in the locker room after Wednesday’s brutal 157-137 blowout loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s brutal regime retains a solid grip in Tehran, in Iraq through proxies, and in Lebanese society through Hezbollah.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ashley Johnson and star/executive producer Travis Willingham tee up what's coming for their soft barbarian lady.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
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As a benevolent barbarian warrior in the mythical land of Hyrkania, Sonja is enslaved and imprisoned by the ecocidal emperor known as Draygan (Robert Sheehan).—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Some countries have laws administering what critics believe are cruel punishments or place undue restrictions on women and minorities.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
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While Tony coddles his own bruised ego, there is clearly a greater reason for the cruel hijinks, which comes in the form of some significant cash.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Politically incorrect and in-your-face, with plenty of dark humor accentuating the drama, the show resembles the more cutting-edge TV — think Borgen or Rita — made by Sweden’s ruder neighbor Denmark.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
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Etiquette neither knows nor cares who is generous and who is stingy, and indecisive and rude are not opposites.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The loss of books is minor, almost trivial, in light of all the horrors and violence unleashed by this senseless war, but the potential loss of these books is a sad reminder that we’re all affected and implicated in America’s savage flailings.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
17 Mar. 2026
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Conan O'Brien hit almost every note on Sunday — savage, playful, heartfelt and dumb.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Activities showcase Cempedak’s wild landscapes and seascapes, offering complimentary forest birdwatching and night walk safaris, yoga sessions, and watersports equipment, including SUP, kayaking, snorkelling, and windsurfing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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New Jersey is 10 points behind Columbus for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with nine games remaining.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Surrounded by vicious and violent hitmen that have been pressed into service as childcare, Juan Pablo must reckon with his father's crumbling power and find his own way in the world after his death.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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This vicious cycle increases until the energy is released essentially in an explosion.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lies told by people who are simply too afraid to look at such an ugly, barbarous reality.—
Clare Malone,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
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In the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, a man dressed as a cop shot two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses, killing the DFL speaker of the House and her husband in a barbarous (and politically motivated) atrocity.—
Jeffrey Blehar,
National Review,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Barbaric.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbaric. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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