Barbarous Meaning in English
word
ˈbɑɹbɝəs
BAR-bur-uhs
bˈɑːbæɹəs
BAH-buh-ruhs
Definition
Extremely cruel, brutal, or uncivilized. It often describes violent or inhumane behavior.
Usage & Nuances
'Barbarous' is formal/literary and often stronger than 'cruel' or 'violent'. Used to condemn extreme acts (e.g., 'barbarous acts') or uncivilized customs; rarely used in everyday conversation. Don't confuse with 'barbaric'—both suggest savagery, but 'barbarous' is more common in written contexts.
Spanish: bárbaro - brutalPortuguese (BR): bárbaro - cruelPortuguese (PT): bárbaro - cruelChinese (Simplified): 野蛮的 - 残忍的Chinese (Traditional): 野蠻的 - 殘忍的Hindi: बर्बर - क्रूरArabic: همجي - وحشيBengali: নৃশংস - বর্বরRussian: варварский - жестокий (очень)Japanese: 野蛮な - 残酷なVietnamese: dã man - tàn bạoKorean: 야만적인 - 잔혹한Turkish: vahşi - barbarcaUrdu: وحشیانہ - ظالمانہIndonesian: biadab - kejam - tidak beradab
Example Sentences
The dictator's barbarous actions shocked the world.
basic
The prisoners suffered under barbarous conditions.
basic
It is a barbarous tradition that should end.
basic
That punishment was simply barbarous, no one deserved it.
natural
People were horrified by the barbarous attack.
natural
It's hard to believe such barbarous acts still happen in the modern world.
natural