barbaric

[ bahr-bar-ik ]

adjective

1. without civilizing influences; uncivilized; primitive:

   barbaric invaders.

2. of, like, or befitting barbarians:

   a barbaric empire; barbaric practices.

3. crudely rich or splendid:

   barbaric decorations.

barbaric

/ bɑːˈbærɪk /

adjective

1. of or characteristic of barbarians
2. primitive or unsophisticated; unrestrained
3. brutal

Derived Forms

• barˈbarically, adverb

Other Words From

• bar·bari·cal·ly adverb
• nonbar·baric adjective
• prebar·baric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbaric¹

1480–90; < Latin barbaricus < Greek barbarikós. See barbarous, -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbaric¹

C15: from Latin barbaricus foreign, outlandish; see barbarous

Synonym Study

See barbarian.

Example Sentences

Rachel Reeves, now chancellor, also condemned the policy as "barbaric".

From BBC

Some suffered ongoing pain or urinary complications after “this barbaric and entirely unnecessary form of female genital mutilation,” the lawsuit said.

From Los Angeles Times

It is not just that the practice is barbaric.

From Los Angeles Times

Metson murdered Holly in an act that police have described as "barbaric" - stabbing her multiple times before he dismembered her body into more than 200 pieces and disposed of them in the River Witham.

From BBC

But McAvoy makes clear this "simplistic, selfish, fundamental approach to life" is, to him, ultimately "unrealistic... and barbaric".

From BBC

Related Words

• barbarous
• brutal
• cruel
• inhuman
• uncivilized