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
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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
The blurring of lines around belief seems to surface our barbaric gears.
—
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
But the experience too often triggers barbaric rage.
—Ed Lavandera, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
The origins of that industry really are self-help cults from the '70s that use these really kind of barbaric behavioral therapy modification programs.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
To be clear, political violence is barbaric and horrifying.
—Billy Eichner, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbaric
Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
But the experience too often triggers barbaric rage.
—Ed Lavandera, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
The origins of that industry really are self-help cults from the '70s that use these really kind of barbaric behavioral therapy modification programs.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
To be clear, political violence is barbaric and horrifying.
—Billy Eichner, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for barbaric
Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbaric
Adjective
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With the benefit of hindsight, analysts and investors have blamed much of Kraft Heinz’s downward spiral on the brutal cost-cutting strategy imposed after the merger.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2026
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Unrelenting cold in storm’s aftermath Last weekend’s historic winter storm and the brutal cold that followed have been blamed for at least 85 deaths in the US, the Associated Press reported.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 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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Bailey plays half-elf ranger Vex, O’Brien is her twin brother Vax, Willingham is the lovable barbarian Grog, Johnson is the holy gnome cleric Pike, Jaffe is the royal gunslinger Percy, Ray is magical half-elf druid Keyleth and Riegel is the raunchy gnome bard Scanlan.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The Moon is at odds with three planets, which can trigger arguments, snide remarks and even cruel retorts.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
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An old 4chan meme designed as a cruel caricature has somehow become the face of clueless commentators asking for context.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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This league is a savage league.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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China is home to the largest population of wild snow leopards in the world, according to the Snow Leopard Trust, with the country harboring the majority of the global population.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Lakers were swept by Chicago in their two-game series last season, including a wild 119-117 loss at the United Center on Josh Giddey's half-court shot at the buzzer.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That contraction represents a vicious cycle.—
Chris O'Falt,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
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Benedict doesn’t realize that the woman who has entirely captured his attention is Sophie, the maid for the formidable Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), aka Lady Penwood and her daughters, the vicious and self-absorbed Rosamund Li (Michelle Mao) and the sweet but simple Posy Li (Isabella Wei).—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
29 Jan. 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 Feb. 2026.
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