Synonyms for

Barbarian

Verb / bɑ:ˈrberi:ʌn / Another word for barbarian — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a member of a community or tribe who is considered to be uncivilized or savage

Synonyms & similar words

churl peasant barbaric savage boor tyke uncivilised goth uncivilized tike wild savage uncivilized primitive uncultured heathen wild feral brute noncivilized barbarous spearman warrior raider invader marauder nomad vandal hooligan ruffian thug

Synonyms by register

Formal

uncivilized savage primitive brutish

Informal

brute oaf lout boor

Literary

heathen savage uncivilized

Antonyms

civilized cultured sophisticated refined enlightened cosmopolitan

Common collocations

  • utter barbarian
  • savage barbarian
  • typical barbarian
  • like a barbarian
  • mere barbarian
  • barbarian horde
  • barbarian invasion

Word family

noun barbarian
adjective barbarian

Usage note

Often used pejoratively to describe someone perceived as uncivilized or crude. Can also refer historically to people living outside the Roman or Greek empires.

Example sentences

  1. The barbarian lived in a tent and hunted for his food.
  2. The ancient Greeks believed that the barbarians were inferior.
  3. The barbarian army marched through the city, burning and looting.
  4. The Roman Empire fought against many barbarian tribes.
  5. The barbarians spoke a language that nobody else understood.

Quotes

  • The barbarian is like a wild beast.
  • Barbarism is the natural state of mankind.
  • The barbarian custom of burning widows alive is too horrible to contemplate.

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