Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🙈 Primitive or uncivilized 🦴 An extinct human
Neanderthal

Neanderthal

19 8.6
Relating to the early human species or showing primitive, rude behaviour
  • adjective
  • /niˈændərˌθɔl/
  • Offensive
translation icon : neandertal
  • Some believe that certain modern behaviors may have Neanderthal roots, reflecting their primitive ways of living.
  • Neanderthal genome
  • Neanderthal DNA
  • Neanderthal clone

So I'm actually protected slightly from depression by my Neanderthal genes.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The tools discovered in the cave show a distinctly Neanderthal craftsmanship, indicating their primitive yet effective methods.

  • A study comparing Neanderthal and modern children showed Neanderthals had shorter childhoods.

    Academic text (2010)

  • And we also cover our ancestors in Europe - - in the form of the Neanderthal man.

    Into Eternity: A Film for the Future (2010)

  • Much of what is known about Neanderthal genetics comes from those 11 individuals.

    Academic text (2010)

  • Any news of Neanderthal Man, for example, is guaranteed a front-page story.

    Academic text (2000)

  • And the average cranial capacity of Neanderthal man is 1800cc.

    Setup (2011)

  • The Neanderthal man, hunter-gatherer, seeks nourishment.

    Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)

  • Some of Pbo's earlier work focused on retrieving mitochondrial DNA from Neanderthal bones.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Photo (color): A computer-generated resin cast of a Neanderthal skull emerges in a Swiss lab.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Researchers have found that the Neanderthal lifestyle involved hunting and gathering, similar to early human societies.

Synonyms

barbarian
vsNeanderthal
  • Offensive
5 7.6

Not civilized and often rude in behavior

is narrower focusing on the extinct human group or primitive sense
neanderthal
vsNeanderthal
  • Offensive
3 8.1

Behaving in a rude, rough way without care for others

also refers to belonging to the extinct human species rather than insult
Neanderthalian
vsNeanderthal
  • Specialized
9.9

Relating to the ancient human called Neanderthal

also carries a sense of primitive or uncivilized character
Neandertal
vsNeanderthal
  • UK
8.8

Relating to the extinct humans who lived in Europe and western Asia

adds the idea of primitive or uncivilized use

Antonyms

sophisticated
279 6.8

A machine or system with many advanced parts and careful design

civilized
89 3.7

Advanced in social, cultural and technological development with order and refinement

Compounds

Neanderthal man
  • Specialized
1 7.4

An early human who lived long ago in Europe and western Asia

How Primitive

barbaric
61 6.3
uncivilized
  • Offensive
16 5.9
Neanderthal
  • Offensive
19 8.6
primitive
183 5.1

Surface Forms

Neanderthal positive

Etymology

Neanderthal as an adjective comes from the name of that ancient human, and because people once thought these humans were rough or simple, the word came to mean 'primitive' or 'uncivilized'. So calling someone's behaviour 'Neanderthal' means acting old-fashioned, rough, or rude.