1
as in hulk
a big clumsy often slow-witted person
they looked like a tribe of Neanderthals compared to the bridegroom's patrician-looking family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in barbarian
a man with crude manners and habits and outmoded attitudes
made the mistake of dining with some Neanderthal who repeatedly mistook his shirtsleeve for a napkin
Synonyms & Similar Words
variants
or Neandertal
as in rude
not civilized
her boyfriend's Neanderthal tastes and manners were often embarrassing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Neanderthal
Noun
-
Remember the scene in Marvel's The Avengers, when Bruce Banner transformed into the hulk and punched a Chitauri Leviathan in the face, bringing it to a sudden halt?—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
28 Nov. 2025 -
Betty Gilpin as the strong-willed Crete Garfield; Nick Offerman as Chester Arthur, Garfield’s scheming hulk of a vice president; and especially Shea Whigham as Sen. Roscoe Conkling, a New York political boss whose power Garfield wants to circumvent, are magnetic and entertaining.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
12 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Per this year’s edition of AIR MAIL’s annual Over-Under List, caviar bumps—where barbarians (TikTokers) lick precious fish eggs off the back of their hands like table salt before a gag-inducing tequila shot—are out!—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
20 Dec. 2025
-
We were inspired by their outrageous VHS cover art that promised epic tales of heroic barbarians rescuing buxom babes from giant monsters.—
Bear McCreary,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The orderly, progressive, and highly institutionalized blending of electoral politics with stable administrative states that dominated Western European and American politics for the past half century shares little with this rude and revolutionary force.—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Audrey and Eli’s first meeting is a contentious one, with accusations and rude words and eventually pieces of fruit getting thrown around in all directions.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Lined up next to rookie left tackle Josh Simmons and veteran center Creed Humphrey, Suamataia took some lumps in the first two preseason games before settling in for a clean sheet in the third look against the Bears.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment that is equal to all the cash in the Mega Millions jackpot prize pool.—
Tanya Wildt,
Freep.com,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Grace Etzelsberger, 66, has been charged with animal neglect, and the house has been condemned.—
Jenna DeAngelis,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Activities that participants can choose from include puppy yoga, wine glass paint and sip, wildlife interactions, animal trivia with prizes, yappy hour and catered food.—
Ut Community Press,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Sons of Anarchy was praised for its stellar writing, operatic plotting, and cast of actors who breathed vivid life into their characters, giving even the most savage moments a dose of humanity.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Jan. 2026
-
This league is a savage league.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Elsewhere Timbersaw is another loser from the patch, with some seemingly significant stat nerfs, while Spectre, who has been very annoying to play against in recent weeks, also gets some smaller but hopefully still significant stat changes.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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The inevitable capitalistic evolution of the House settlement that allowed for the paying of athletes guaranteed there would be winners and losers, and the winners are – no surprise – the signal-callers.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But given our caveman approach, that possibility is now gone.—
Steve Forbes,
Forbes.com,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The fork-tender caveman-size shank is blanketed in sautéed endive and a bright lemon-egg-dill sauce.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
4 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Neanderthal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Neanderthal. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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