Neanderthal

noun

Ne·​an·​der·​thal nē-ˈan-dər-ˌtȯl  -ˌthȯl 

nā-ˈän-dər-ˌtäl

plural Neanderthals

1

or less commonly Neandertal

nē-ˈan-dər-ˌtȯl 

nā-ˈän-dər-ˌtäl

or Neanderthal man or Neandertal man plural Neandertals or Neanderthal men or Neandertal men : a hominid (Homo neanderthalensis synonym H. sapiens neanderthalensis) known from skeletal remains in Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia that lived from about 30,000 to 200,000 years ago

2

: a person who suggests a caveman in appearance, mentality, or behavior

… heckled by a bunch of Neanderthals …

—Bonitta Best

But the man is also not a Neanderthal. His mother was an English teacher, and her son quotes Henry David Thoreau …

—Seth Emerson

Neanderthal adjective

or less commonly Neandertal

Neanderthaloid

nē-ˈan-dər-ˌtȯ-ˌlȯid

-ˌthȯ- 

nā-ˈän-dər-ˌtä-

adjective or noun

Synonyms

• clod
• clodhopper
• gawk
• hulk
• lout
• lubber
• lug
• lump
• oaf
• palooka

Examples of Neanderthal in a Sentence

I can't believe I was married to that Neanderthal for three years.

Some Neanderthals continue to resist the education reform bill.

Recent Examples on the Web

Related article Scientists reveal the face of a Neanderthal who lived 75,000 years ago Past studies of archaeological finds have suggested that Neanderthals cared for vulnerable members of their group. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 27 June 2024

The word Neanderthal is sometimes used as a synonym for stupid or brutish, but a new fossil analysis has added weight to the hypothesis that our prehistoric cousins actually had collaborative or even compassionate qualities. —Frances Vinall, Washington Post, 27 June 2024

Life New evidence shows Neanderthals got ‘surfer’s ear’ Our relationship with water still matters. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Excavations there uncovered multiple Mousterian residences, indicating Neanderthals may have visited both places. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 20 June 2024

Perhaps their aversion to new mates ultimately pushed Neanderthals from endangered to extinct. —Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2024

The list includes Shanidar 1, a middle-aged male Neanderthal discovered in a cave of Iraq. —Bridget Alex, Discover Magazine, 6 June 2024

Lester Simon Strong case Manhattan: When will these Neanderthals realize that a crime is a crime, whether victimless or not? —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2024

Study Says Their Teeth Show Evidence of Eating Plants Neanderthal vs. Paleolithic Modern Humans Their results showed that, overall, children in both groups experienced similar amounts of stress. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 23 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Neanderthal, valley in western Germany

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Neanderthal

• Neanderthal man

Kids Definition

Neanderthal

noun

Ne·​an·​der·​thal nē-ˈan-dər-ˌthȯl  -ˌtȯl 

nā-ˈän-dər-ˌtäl

1

or Neandertal

-ˌtȯl 

-ˌtäl

: a primate mammal that belongs to the same family as human beings, lived from about 30,000 to 200,000 years ago, is known from skeletal remains in Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia, and is characterized especially by a stocky muscular build and prominent browridge

called also Neanderthal man

2

: one who suggests a caveman in appearance, behavior, or intelligence

Neanderthal adjective