Definition of: barbarous

(bär′bər·əs) adjective
1. Pertaining to or like a barbarian.
2. Uncultivated; lacking the refinements of advanced civilization; rude.
3. Cruel; brutal; savage.
4. Marked by barbarisms in speech; unpolished.
5. Rude or harsh in sound.
6. In Greek and Roman usage, of or pertaining to foreigners. [<L barbarus foreign, barbarian <Gk. barbaros non-Hellenic, foreign, rude]
—bar′ba·rous·ly adverb
—bar′ba·rous·ness noun Synonyms: atrocious, barbarian, barbaric, brutal, cruel, inhuman, merciless, rude, savage, uncivilized, uncouth, untamed. Barbarous refers to the worst side of barbarian life, and to acts of cruelty. We may, however, say barbarous nations, barbarous tribes, without implying anything more than want of civilization and culture. Antonyms: civilized, courtly, cultured, delicate, elegant, graceful, humane, nice, polite, refined, tender, urbane.