Synonyms of heathen
26 similar words · 3 opposite words
Another word for heathen is pagan. Other synonyms of heathen are brutal, barbarian, barbaric, uncultured and uncivil. The opposite of heathen is Muslim.
Synonyms and similar words for heathen
adjectiveNot adhering to an Abrahamic religion; pagan.
- heathenishResembling a heathen.
- heathenlyHeathen.
- heathenousCharacteristic of a heathen.
- paganRelating to, characteristic of religions that differ from main world religions.
adjectiveUncultured; uncivilized; savage; barbarian.
- barbarousUncivilized, uncultured.
- uncultivatedInadequately educated; lacking art or knowledge.
- animalisticIn the behaviour of an animal savage; untamed.
- barbarianRelating to people, countries, or customs perceived as uncivilized or inferior.
- barbaricOf or relating to a barbarian; uncivilized, uncultured or uncouth.
- brutalSavagely violent, vicious, ruthless, or cruel, often in an unintelligent manner.
- brutishBestial; lacking human sensibility.
- Gothic figurativelyBarbarous, rude, unpolished, belonging to the “Dark Ages”, medieval as opposed to classical.
- GothlikeLike a Goth (ancient Teutonic); barbaric, pitilessly destructive.
- savage
- tenebrose figurativelyMorally, culturally or mentally benighted; backward; uncivilized.
- truculentCruel or savage.
- uncivilNot civilized.
- uncivilizedCrude, barbarous, wild, uncultured.
- uncouth
- unculturedNot cultured or civilized; lacking in delicacy or refinement; philistine.
- wolfishFierce; menacing; savage.
- barbarious dated, literaryBarbarous, barbaric.
- grim obsoleteFierce, cruel, furious.
- incivil rareUncivilized, barbarous.
- uplandish obsoleteRustic, rude, boorish; countrified, unsophisticated, or uncivilized.
nounA pagan; someone who is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim (other Abrahamic or monotheistic...
Opposite of heathen
Meaning of heathen
- adjective Not adhering to an Abrahamic religion; pagan.
- adjective Uncultured; uncivilized; savage; barbarian.
- noun A pagan; someone who is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim (other Abrahamic or monotheistic religions may or may not be included).
heathen in other languages
Questions about synonyms of heathen
- What is another word for heathen?
- Heathen has 26 synonyms on Word.ws, such as pagan, brutal, barbarian, barbaric, uncultured, uncivil, heathenish and uncivilized.
- What is the opposite of heathen?
- The opposite of heathen is Muslim. Other antonyms of heathen are Christian and Jewish.
- What does heathen mean?
- Heathen means not adhering to an Abrahamic religion; pagan.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: heathen (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of heathen.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/heathen. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.