barbaric

Barbaric, a.

Etymology: [L. barbaricus foreign, barbaric, Gr. .]

1. Of, or from, barbarian nations; foreign; -- often with reference to barbarous nations of east. "Barbaric pearl and gold." Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to, or resembling, an uncivilized person or people; barbarous; barbarian; destitute of refinement. "Wild, barbaric music." Sir W. Scott.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for barbaric; he lists it under barbarous.

Where he writes about it:

Whatever is not civilized is barbarian; barbaric indicates rude magnificence, uncultured richness; as, barbaric splendor, a barbaric melody. — from barbarous

Synonyms

barbarous atrocious barbarian brutal cruel inhuman merciless rude savage uncivilized uncouth untamed

Antonyms

civilized courtly cultured delicate elegant graceful humane nice polite refined tender urbane

etymology Webster’s online