barbarian

modif.

1. Uncivilized

   primitive, uncivilized, barbaric, barbarous, rude, rough, savage, coarse, uncultivated, wild, crude, uncouth; see also primitive 3.

2. Savage

   brutal, savage, barbarous, cruel; see cruel 1, 2.

barbarian basically refers to a civilization or people regarded as primitive, either without further connotation barbarian tribes or with the implication of lack of cultivation and refinement or of brutishness; barbaric suggests crudeness and lack of restraint regarded as characteristic of primitive peoples barbaric splendor; barbarous connotes cruelty and brutality regarded as characteristic of primitive people; barbarous warfare; savage implies a more primitive civilization than barbarian and connotes great fierceness and cruelty a savage inquisition

barbarian

n.

1. An uncivilized person

   savage, brute, Hun, cannibal, Goth, yahoo, Philistine, troglodyte, boor, lout, clod.

2. A brute

   rascal, ruffian, monster; see beast 2.

3. A foreigner

   stranger, outsider, newcomer; see alien.