barbarian 1 of 2

Definition of barbariannext

barbarian

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of barbarian
Adjective
Built on the site of an ancient Roman fortress that protected the empire from barbarian invasion, the castle was constructed between the 11th and 14th centuries. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 10 June 2025 Based on the best-selling comic book series, the fantasy follows barbarian huntress Red Sonja, who must unite a group of unlikely warriors to face off against the evil tyrant Emperor Draygan and his deadly bride, Dark Annisia. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
The Gauls had been described as barbarians by Julius Caesar and Livy, but now had become these Ur people, far more ancient and civilized than their ancient Roman detractors. JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025 This barbarian conceptualized this atrocity and brought it to reality. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for barbarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbarian
Adjective
  • Wade Wilson confessed to the savage murders of two women, yet even that brutality failed to repel admirers.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
  • On his second, Dominique pulled off a savage windmill, the same dunk that had earned a perfect score the year before and won him the title.
    Kevin Sherrington Feb. 10, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • It can be used to achieve a lot of other cryptographic primitives.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 1 Aug. 2024
Adjective
  • Margot Robbie once had the world's rudest coworker.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The other systems are even ruder.
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Continue reading … -- IN OTHER NEWS VICTORY LAP — Tyler Reddick steals Daytona 500 win in wild last-lap shootout.
    , FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
  • This region is the best place in the lower 48 to observe wild wolves, bears, and moose.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
Adjective
  • Lies told by people who are simply too afraid to look at such an ugly, barbarous reality.
    Clare Malone, New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Rather than a barrier between north and south, Arab and African, civilized and uncivilized, the Sahara emerges as a varied landscape deeply enmeshed in trading, religious, and other networks that stretch beyond its vast expanse.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
  • This sort of rhetoric only adds to the hysterical nature of contemporary politics, giving respectability to uncivilized behavior.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Barbarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbarian. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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