barbarous
8 synonyms and 5 antonyms for barbarous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Extremely cruel or savage.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
uncivilized
roughshod
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Extremely cruel or savage.
“The regime was infamous for its barbarous treatment of prisoners.”
Opposites
Etymology
From Latin barbarus ("foreigner, savage"), from Greek barbaros.
Full origin of barbarous →Frequently asked questions
What does “barbarous” mean?
The word “barbarous” means extremely cruel or savage. In plain terms, cruel and savage, or uncivilized — very close in meaning to "barbaric.".
How do you pronounce “barbarous”?
“Barbarous” is pronounced BAH-buh-ruhs (/ˈbɑː(ɹ)bəɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “barbarous” in a sentence?
Here is “barbarous” used in a sentence: “The regime was infamous for its barbarous treatment of prisoners.”
What part of speech is “barbarous”?
“Barbarous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “barbarous” come from?
The word “barbarous” comes from Latin. From Latin barbarus ("foreigner, savage"), from Greek barbaros.
How many meanings does “barbarous” have?
“Barbarous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely cruel or savage.
