BARBAROUS Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'barbarous' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of barbarous are cruel , ferocious , fierce , and savage . While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people. // barbarous treatment of prisoners

Q: When might 'cruel' be a better fit than 'barbarous'?

The words cruel and barbarous can be used in similar contexts, but cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it. // the cruel jokes of schoolboys

Q: When is 'ferocious' a more appropriate choice than 'barbarous'?

In some situations, the words ferocious and barbarous are roughly equivalent. However, ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality. // a ferocious dog

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fierce' instead of 'barbarous'?

While in some cases nearly identical to barbarous , fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack. // fierce warriors

Q: When can 'savage' be used instead of 'barbarous'?

The words savage and barbarous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion. // a savage criminal

barbarous

adjective

ˈbär-b(ə-)rəs

Definition of barbarous next

as in brutal

having or showing the desire to inflict severe pain and suffering on others a monarch resorting to whatever barbarous means he deemed necessary to protect his throne

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as in barbarian

not civilized an aunt who abhors barbarous behavior such as eating with your fingers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word barbarous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of barbarous are cruel, ferocious, fierce, and savage. While all these words mean "showing fury or malignity in looks or actions," barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people.

barbarous treatment of prisoners

When might cruel be a better fit than barbarous?

The words cruel and barbarous can be used in similar contexts, but cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it.

the cruel jokes of schoolboys

When is ferocious a more appropriate choice than barbarous?

In some situations, the words ferocious and barbarous are roughly equivalent. However, ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality.

a ferocious dog

When is it sensible to use fierce instead of barbarous?

While in some cases nearly identical to barbarous, fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack.

fierce warriors

When can savage be used instead of barbarous?

The words savage and barbarous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion.

a savage criminal

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of barbarous The barbarous relic has glittered amidst the financial carnage. —

Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 Any slip-up or act of insubordination, no matter how small, results in immediate death from the barbarous SS members running the camp. —

Josh Weiss, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025 How does Reed manage to revisit some of the world’s most barbarous acts without succumbing to despair? —

K.j. Yossman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024 Experts told PolitiFact such narratives painting Haiti as a barbarous country are not new and are racist attempts to dehumanize Haitians. —

Jeff Cercone, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for barbarous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for barbarous

Adjective

But the timing of this meltdown was brutal.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
Orlando City heads west after a two-week break, trying to snap out of a brutal early-season slump, but the Lions face a steep climb against a Los Angeles FC squad that hasn’t conceded a goal this year.

— Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of brutal

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barbarity

barbarous

barbarousness

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“Barbarous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/barbarous. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of barbarous

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