barbarity

[ bahr-bar-i-tee ]

noun

, plural bar·bar·i·ties.

1. brutal or inhuman conduct; cruelty.
2. an act or instance of cruelty or inhumanity.
3. crudity of style, taste, expression, etc.

barbarity

/ bɑːˈbærɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being barbaric or barbarous
2. a brutal or vicious act
3. a crude or unsophisticated quality, style, expression, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbarity¹

1560–70; < Latin barbar ( us ) ( barbarous ) + -ity

Example Sentences

It assumes the terrorists have no agency in choosing not to engage in barbarity.

From Los Angeles Times

Patrizia Asproni, the president of Confcultura, an association that promotes Italy's cultural heritage, told Italian media that these "repeated shows of rudeness and barbarity" take place "because everyone feels entitled to do whatever they want with impunity".

From BBC

It is a hypothesis that existed before Bolt's comments and has persisted since; that the barbarity of the slave trade, which forcibly took men, women and children from Africa and exported them into forced labour in the Caribbean, Brazil, the United States and elsewhere, still echoes in modern-day track and field.

From BBC

The sheer barbarity of these scenes may explain why they haven’t garnered more attention.

From Los Angeles Times

"The comedy of manners plays with the mores of civilization; it can lose its charm when civilisation succumbs to barbarity. In life, as in comedy, timing is essential."

From BBC

Related Words

• brutality
• cruelty
• inhumanity
• vulgarity