barbaric

/bɑːˈbærɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /bɑːrˈbærɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /bär-ˈber-ik -ˈba-rik/ (ame, mw)

barbaric — adjective

  • barbaricpositive
  • more barbariccomparative
  • most barbaricsuperlative

1. Describes actions, punishments, or living conditions that cause great suffering

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Describes actions, punishments, or living conditions that cause great suffering and offend basic standards of human decency because of their extreme violence or lack of mercy.

例句

The documentary exposed the barbaric conditions inside the prison, where many inmates lacked clean water.

barbaric conditions

Kofi said the barbaric treatment of political prisoners violated every international human rights law.

barbaric treatment

同義詞
  • cruel

    More general and common; can describe people, actions, or situations at any level of severity

  • brutal

    Focuses on physical violence and harshness; slightly less moralizing than barbaric

  • inhumane

    Emphasizes lack of compassion or disregard for human dignity; common in formal and legal contexts

反義詞
  • humane

    Shows kindness, care, and respect for the suffering of others

  • civilized

    Describes behaviour that meets accepted standards of decency and compassion

文法句型

barbaric + noun

be + barbaric

用法筆記

This sense carries a strong moral judgment. It is usually used to condemn actions, systems, or living conditions, not people directly.

常見錯誤

❌The food at the cafeteria was barbaric.
✅The treatment of prisoners was barbaric.
💡Barbaric is too strong for ordinary complaints about food; use 'disgusting' or 'terrible' instead.
❌My boss was barbaric to me.
✅The regime's barbaric policies caused widespread suffering.
💡Barbaric describes extreme cruelty or violence, not everyday rudeness or unfairness.

2. Relating to a way of life that people from more technologically developed societ

2.形容詞C1
釋義

Relating to a way of life that people from more technologically developed societies view as simple, rough, or lacking the customs and comforts associated with modern civilization.

例句

Early Roman historians described the barbaric tribes of northern Europe as wild and dangerous.

barbaric tribes

Nia argued in her book that no culture should be called barbaric simply because it lacks modern technology.

called barbaric

同義詞
  • primitive

    More neutral and commonly used; can describe early stages of human development without the same negative tone

  • uncivilized

    Carries a similar judgmental tone; often used to describe behaviour rather than entire cultures

  • savage

    Historically used in similar ways but now considered offensive and outdated in academic contexts

反義詞
  • civilized

    Describes a society with developed institutions, technology, and cultural refinement

  • advanced

    Neutral term describing a high level of technological or social development

文法句型

barbaric + noun (tribe, people, period, culture)

用法筆記

Modern historians and anthropologists often avoid this term because it implies a value judgment that one culture is superior to another. In academic writing, 'pre-industrial' or 'non-literate' are preferred.

常見錯誤

❌My old laptop is barbaric.
✅The archaeological evidence suggests these barbaric communities had complex social structures.
💡Barbaric in this sense describes entire cultures or historical periods, not individual objects that are simply outdated.

3. Showing a powerful, rough, and uncontrolled quality that is striking or impressi

3.形容詞C1
釋義

Showing a powerful, rough, and uncontrolled quality that is striking or impressive rather than carefully planned or refined; often describes art, music, dance, or natural scenery.

例句

The painter was known for her barbaric use of color, covering every canvas in bold bright strokes.

barbaric use of color

Hiroshi loved the barbaric energy of the live concert, full of raw passion and loud guitars.

barbaric energy

同義詞
  • wild

    Simpler and more common; can be positive or negative depending on context

  • untamed

    Focuses on lack of human control; often used for nature, landscapes, or behaviour

  • fierce

    Emphasizes intensity and energy; can describe art, performance, or competition

反義詞
  • refined

    Describes something carefully developed, polished, and elegant

  • restrained

    Describes something controlled, measured, and not excessive

  • delicate

    Suggests subtlety, fine detail, and gentleness rather than raw power

文法句型

barbaric + noun (beauty, energy, style)

用法筆記

Unlike the other senses, this use is not necessarily negative — it describes something impressive in its raw, untamed quality. It is more common in literary criticism and art reviews.

常見錯誤

❌His bedroom was barbaric.
✅The sculpture had a barbaric grandeur, carved from rough stone without polish.
💡This sense implies a striking, powerful wildness, not mere mess or disorganization.