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

Other Word Forms

• barbarically adverb
• nonbarbaric adjective
• prebarbaric 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

McLaughlin’s X post described him and the other four deportees as "individuals so uniquely barbaric that their home countries refused to take them back".

Read more on Barron's

"Two years on from the horrific massacre on October 7, we must also be honest: the same hatred that fuelled those barbaric attacks still festers today," she said.

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“There’s a tendency to view anything African-derived as ‘barbaric,’ while turning a blind eye to widespread animal slaughter in other contexts,” she said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Dog fighting is as secretive as it is barbaric.

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Yet almost two years after the barbaric attacks of 7 October, hostages are still held by the terrorists of Hamas.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• barbarous 
• brutal 
• cruel 
• inhuman 
• uncivilized 

When To Use

What does barbaric mean?

Barbaric means crude, uncivilized, or primitive. It’s often used to describe things that are cruel or brutal in a way that’s considered entirely uncivilized.Barbaric is also used to describe things that involve people considered barbarians—people who are extremely crude and uncivilized.The term barbarian was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to refer to any foreigner. In ancient and medieval times, it was variously used to refer to non-Greeks, non-Romans, and non-Christians. The term eventually became associated with a stereotypical image of barbarians as primitive and brutish.Like the word savage, the word barbarian can be very offensive due to its use to dehumanize the people that it’s applied to, especially in a way that calls attention to their otherness or the supposed primitiveness of their culture or customs. Barbaric can also imply these same things, especially when it’s applied to the practices of a culture other than one’s own.The related word barbarous also means uncivilized, crude, or cruel.Example: We need to put an end to this barbaric violence.