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
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
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2025
The barbarians at the gates are just asset managers now — big, and a bit boring.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
This barbarian conceptualized this atrocity and brought it to reality.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 July 2025
The barbarians at the gates are just asset managers now — big, and a bit boring.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbarian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbarian
Adjective
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This league is a savage league.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 Dec. 2025
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The fifth-place finisher also reveals the inspiration for her savage jury question to Savannah.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Dec. 2025
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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People at work have made rude comments pertaining to my hearing.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Though Jackson acknowledged that those time crunches can be stressful, being rude isn't the way to go.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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But every point matters for the Sabres, and these 2 were enough to put them in the second wild-card spot based on points percentage.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Those interviews can be conducted through wild-card weekend and are limited to three hours in length.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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There was no electricity, and basic human conditions were barbaric.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The barbarous relic has glittered amidst the financial carnage.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
1 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Barbarian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbarian. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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