# barbaric

/bɑɹˈbæɹɪk/ (US) · /bɑːbˈæɹɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barbaric
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

extremely cruel or violent in a way that seems uncivilized. You use it to describe actions that show no respect for human feelings or rights.

For teachers: characterised by extreme cruelty or a lack of cultural refinement. Often used to describe historical practices or modern acts of violence that violate contemporary ethical standards.

## Examples

- The treatment of the prisoners was absolutely barbaric.
- Many modern societies view the practice of public execution as a barbaric relic of the past.
- The historian argued that while the invaders were often described as barbaric, their legal systems were actually more sophisticated than those of the empires they conquered.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a gradable adjective; often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.