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
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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
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The hulk has made it to the Seaport once — in September 2024 when it was towed to Pier 17 for a Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Week event.
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But Lobo isn't some mindless arrogant hulk out to impose his indomitable will.
Noun
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There are barbarians with battle axes and swords, robots with laser guns, spaceships, a warlock with a skull for a face.
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While the original action figure might at first glance look like a classic cartoon barbarian, the character and his world are a wild blend of science fiction, fantasy, action-adventure, and even comedy.
Adjective
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Due Amici brings Brooklyn roots and authenticity, right down to the counter service that’s not rude but not exactly warm.
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It’s widely considered rude and annoying when people cluster by the train doors if there are more people on the platform attempting to get on.
Noun
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Far from lumps of rock, the trojans, along with DJ and Dinkinesh (which is the Ethiopian name for the Lucy fossil), are windows into the past, and the storytellers of the Earth's most ancient history.
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Rather than receiving a lump-sum loan upfront, borrowers can access a credit line as needed during the draw period (up to the credit limit).
Noun
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The ranch is home to a couple of hundred animals, including impalas, Nubian ibexes and an antelope found in Central Africa.
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Even a 1995 review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition described phytic acid as a natural antioxidant tied to lower colon cancer risk and lower cholesterol in animals.
Adjective
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For my microgeneration, the disillusionment crept in with the savage failure of the Iraq War.
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Set in the fictional lands of Westeros, House of the Dragon depicts a savage succession struggle within House Targaryen and a resulting civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Noun
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There, by definition, each match has to have a winner and a loser, so any match that ends in a draw proceeds to two 15-minute periods of overtime, and, if that fails to untie the score, a penalty kick shootout.
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The loser of Saturday’s match in Kansas City will finish third in this group.
Noun
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There’s a lyric where reporters are wondering why Mullally’s Vera Vim, a fading actress, bought a caveman.
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Throughout the Backrooms, there are several cardboard cutouts of a mysterious caveman, wired to a communication device that broadcasts audio greetings in multiple languages.
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Cite this Entry
“Neanderthal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Neanderthal. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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