Cruel vs Barbaric - What's the difference?

As adjectives the difference between cruel and barbaric

is that cruel is not nice; mean; heartless while barbaric is of or relating to a barbarian; uncivilised, uncultured or uncouth.

is to spoil or ruin (one's chance of success.

(en-adj)

Not nice; mean; heartless.

The supervisor was very cruel to Josh, as he would always give Josh the hardest, most degrading work he could find.

(slang) Cool; awesome; neat.

* brutal * sadistic * vicious

* merciful

* cruelly

To spoil or ruin (one's chance of success)

* *

* * ----

(en adjective)

Of or relating to a barbarian; uncivilised, uncultured or uncouth.

Eating baby seals alive is barbaric .

* nonbarbaric