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
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Recent Examples of Neanderthal
ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025
Today, some humans have traces of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes because the two species interbred roughly 47,000 years ago.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2025
The theory goes that about 60,000 years ago, a few intrepid bed bugs hopped off of a bat and clung to a Neanderthal walking out of a cave.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 May 2025
The remains of Neanderthals do not show clear evidence of lower intelligence than modern humans, some scientists have argued.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for Neanderthal
Noun
Along with the bone tools, jewelry, and even rope that archaeologists have found at other Neanderthal sites, the projectile is one more clue pointing to the fact that Neanderthals were actually pretty sharp.
—ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025
Today, some humans have traces of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes because the two species interbred roughly 47,000 years ago.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2025
The theory goes that about 60,000 years ago, a few intrepid bed bugs hopped off of a bat and clung to a Neanderthal walking out of a cave.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 May 2025
The remains of Neanderthals do not show clear evidence of lower intelligence than modern humans, some scientists have argued.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for Neanderthal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for Neanderthal
Noun
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Remember: Without the stunning moment when the boat kisses that frozen hulk, this Best Picture winner is just another Romeo and Juliet knockoff.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
-
Like the ghostly hulk of the Titanic below the surface of the sea, Northbrook Court is a quiet and cavernous relic — at the bottom of the retail food chain.—
David Petitti,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Once, some 2,000 years ago, so many such personages (then known as barbarians) came to Paris simultaneously that the city was destroyed.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2025
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This new Leo is poised to save America’s democracy from American barbarians within, seeking to destroy centuries of democratic compromise toward a more perfect union.—
Emmett Coyne,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Nearly one in four Gen Z professionals viewed the thumbs-up as rude or hostile.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
-
This strikes me as rude and short-sighted (no pun intended).—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
2 July 2025
Noun
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In a flat city where all private and public property is organized into rectangles and triangles aligned with the principal points of the compass, Lincoln Yards is defined by a series of wedges, lumps and lobes that don’t adjoin with the rest of the Chicago street map.—
F.K. Plous,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
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Everyday Comfort smoothing panty for a completely smooth silhouette without any bumps or lumps.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
The Cleveland Clinic advises people to minimize their risk of plague by avoiding flea bites and exercising caution around animals that could be infected with the bacteria.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
11 July 2025
-
Police apology Police said officers will receive additional training on the statute that allows first responders to enter a vehicle to protect the health and safety of an animal.—
Sydney Sasser
July 11,
Charlotte Observer,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
As savage Arctic cold was getting ready to surge south across North America, vivid imagery based on data from weather models showed us what was going to happen.—
Tom Yulsman,
Discover Magazine,
27 Dec. 2022
-
The 2023 grand marshal is former Arizona Democratic congresswoman Gabby Giffords, gravely wounded in a savage mass shooting in 2011 that also killed six people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Dec. 2022
Noun
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But just like the dollars that will stay in many taxpayers' pockets and add $3.8 trillion to the national debt, there are large sums for industry packed into the 870-page law, making several winners and losers.—
Jim Sergent,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
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For investors, developers, and tenants, the message is clear: The forthcoming shakeout from America’s return to office will create distinct winners and losers, with the South leading the way into recovery.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Here are some surprising ways to stay safe What is the 'caveman method'?—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
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The latest social media skincare trend that everyone is talking about is the caveman method.—
Stephanie Edwards,
Discover Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Neanderthal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Neanderthal. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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