Barbarism
noun
Cruel or violent behavior.
The barbarism shown by the dictator towards his people was condemned worldwide.
Often appears as...
- commits barbarism
- evidence of barbarism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
noun
An incorrect use of language.
His barbarism in the English language frustrated his grammar-focused English teacher.
Often appears as...
- barbarism in language
- commit a barbarism
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
noun
A feature of a society or culture seen as primitive or uncivilized.
Critics call sport hunting a barbarism unacceptable in modern society.
Often appears as...
- primitive barbarism
- cultural barbarism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
noun
Cruel or violent behavior.
The barbarism shown by the dictator towards his people was condemned worldwide.
Often appears as...
- commits barbarism
- evidence of barbarism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
noun
An incorrect use of language.
His barbarism in the English language frustrated his grammar-focused English teacher.
Often appears as...
- barbarism in language
- commit a barbarism
Usage tips
Disapproving
Academic
noun
A feature of a society or culture seen as primitive or uncivilized.
Critics call sport hunting a barbarism unacceptable in modern society.
Often appears as...
- primitive barbarism
- cultural barbarism
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Barbarism has a strong negative connotation associated with extreme inhumanity or cruelty.
News reports highlighted the barbarism of the conflict.
Pro Tip 2/3Hyperbole Caution
Be cautious using 'barbarism' to exaggerate situations that are simply unpleasant, as it refers to extreme violence or cruelty.
Calling a strict curfew 'barbarism' can be an overstatement.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Usage
'Barbarism' was historically used to label foreign cultures as 'less civilized' - a usage now considered ethnocentric or racist.
The term 'barbarism' reflects the colonial mindset of the past.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Barbarism has a strong negative connotation associated with extreme inhumanity or cruelty.
News reports highlighted the barbarism of the conflict.
Pro Tip 2/3Hyperbole Caution
Be cautious using 'barbarism' to exaggerate situations that are simply unpleasant, as it refers to extreme violence or cruelty.
Calling a strict curfew 'barbarism' can be an overstatement.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Usage
'Barbarism' was historically used to label foreign cultures as 'less civilized' - a usage now considered ethnocentric or racist.
The term 'barbarism' reflects the colonial mindset of the past.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Emotion
Barbarism has a strong negative connotation associated with extreme inhumanity or cruelty.
News reports highlighted the barbarism of the conflict.
Pro Tip 2/3Hyperbole Caution
Be cautious using 'barbarism' to exaggerate situations that are simply unpleasant, as it refers to extreme violence or cruelty.
Calling a strict curfew 'barbarism' can be an overstatement.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Usage
'Barbarism' was historically used to label foreign cultures as 'less civilized' - a usage now considered ethnocentric or racist.
The term 'barbarism' reflects the colonial mindset of the past.
Compare with
atrocitybarbaritybestialitybrutalitycrueltyferocityinhumanitysavageryviolence
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Video examples
The problem with...
that liberates their minds when under the white man's control, and it is the want of sufficiency of red vital blood that chains their minds to ignorance and barbarism when in freedom." To support this theory, Cartwright helped to perfect
Video examples
The problem with...
that liberates their minds when under the white man's control, and it is the want of sufficiency of red vital blood that chains their minds to ignorance and barbarism when in freedom." To support this theory, Cartwright helped to perfect
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
George Papandreou
Greek Statesman
If Greece had gone through a very normal political life, I may have not been in politics. But just the fact that I lived through huge upheavals and very difficult struggles and polarization and the barbarism of dictatorships - that made me feel that we had to change this country.
Quote examples
Adam Smith
Scottish Economist
Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice: all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things.
Quote examples
William Morris
English Designer
How often it consoles me to think of barbarism once more flooding the world, and real feelings and passions, however rudimentary, taking the place of our wretched hypocrisies.
Quote examples
Simone Weil
French Philosopher
I would suggest that barbarism be considered as a permanent and universal human characteristic which becomes more or less pronounced according to the play of circumstances.
Quote examples
Alva Myrdal
Swedish Diplomat
The age in which we live can only be characterized as one of barbarism. Our civilization is in the process not only of being militarized, but also being brutalized.
Quote examples
Leon Bourgeois
French Statesman
The rise of man from the animal to the human level was prolonged by the necessity of rising from a state of barbarism and violence to one of order and peace.
Quote examples
Georg C. Lichtenberg
German Scientist
The Greeks possessed a knowledge of human nature we seem hardly able to attain to without passing through the strengthening hibernation of a new barbarism.
Quote examples
Nelson DeMille
American Author
If everyone howled at every injustice, every act of barbarism, every act of unkindness, then we would be taking the first step towards a real humanity.
Quote examples
Ron Silver
American Actor
The twentieth century has exhibited a barbarism and lack of respect for human life on a massive scale just about unknown before.
Quote examples
Carlos Fuentes
Mexican Novelist
There must be something beyond slaughter and barbarism to support the existence of mankind and we must all help search for it.
Quote examples
George Papandreou
Greek Statesman
If Greece had gone through a very normal political life, I may have not been in politics. But just the fact that I lived through huge upheavals and very difficult struggles and polarization and the barbarism of dictatorships - that made me feel that we had to change this country.
Quote examples
Adam Smith
Scottish Economist
Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice: all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things.
Quote examples
William Morris
English Designer
How often it consoles me to think of barbarism once more flooding the world, and real feelings and passions, however rudimentary, taking the place of our wretched hypocrisies.
Quote examples
Simone Weil
French Philosopher
I would suggest that barbarism be considered as a permanent and universal human characteristic which becomes more or less pronounced according to the play of circumstances.
Quote examples
Alva Myrdal
Swedish Diplomat
The age in which we live can only be characterized as one of barbarism. Our civilization is in the process not only of being militarized, but also being brutalized.
Quote examples
Leon Bourgeois
French Statesman
The rise of man from the animal to the human level was prolonged by the necessity of rising from a state of barbarism and violence to one of order and peace.
Quote examples
Georg C. Lichtenberg
German Scientist
The Greeks possessed a knowledge of human nature we seem hardly able to attain to without passing through the strengthening hibernation of a new barbarism.
Quote examples
Nelson DeMille
American Author
If everyone howled at every injustice, every act of barbarism, every act of unkindness, then we would be taking the first step towards a real humanity.
Quote examples
Ron Silver
American Actor
The twentieth century has exhibited a barbarism and lack of respect for human life on a massive scale just about unknown before.
Quote examples
Carlos Fuentes
Mexican Novelist
There must be something beyond slaughter and barbarism to support the existence of mankind and we must all help search for it.
Example 1 of 10
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