neanderthal

/niˈændərˌθɑl/
adjective
  1. Relating to the extinct human species Neanderthal.
    • She wrote a paper on neanderthal hunting techniques.
    • Neanderthal art has been found in Spanish caves.
    • The neanderthal genome was sequenced in 2010.
  2. Uncivilized, brutish, or very old-fashioned in behavior or ideas.
    • I can't believe you still have such neanderthal opinions about technology.
    • The dress code seemed neanderthal in its strictness.
    • His neanderthal management style made everyone quit.
noun
  1. An extinct species of human that lived in Europe and Asia during the Ice Age (alternative spelling of Neandertal).
    • A neanderthal's bones were found in a German valley.
    • The neanderthal is one of our closest extinct relatives.
    • Many people are fascinated by how the neanderthal lived.
  2. A person who is rude, uncivilized, or behaves in a brutish way.
    • Don't be a neanderthal — say please and thank you.
    • The politician's neanderthal views on education shocked the audience.
    • My neighbor is a total neanderthal who blasts music at 3 a.m.
Synonyms
What does "neanderthal" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean