barbarize

[ bahr-buh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, bar·ba·rized, bar·ba·riz·ing.

1. to make barbarous; brutalize; corrupt:

   foreign influences barbarizing the Latin language.

verb (used without object)

, bar·ba·rized, bar·ba·riz·ing.

1. to become barbarous; lapse into barbarism.
2. to use barbarisms in speaking or writing.

barbarize

/ ˈbɑːbəˌraɪz /

verb

1. to make or become barbarous
2. to use barbarisms in (language)

Derived Forms

• ˌbarbariˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• barba·ri·zation noun
• de·barba·rize verb (used with object) debarbarized debarbarizing
• un·barba·rize verb (used with object) unbarbarized unbarbarizing

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbarize¹

1635–45; partly < Greek barbarízein, equivalent to bárbar ( os ) barbarian + -izein -ize; partly barbar(ous) + -ize

Example Sentences

If the most effectual method of degrading woman be to barbarize man, the certain means of dignifying her is to christianize him.

From Project Gutenberg

In this age, poverty tends to barbarize men; it shuts them out from the educational influences of our times.

From Project Gutenberg

This might tend to barbarize, demoralize, and exasperate the whole mass and produce most deplorable consequences.

From Project Gutenberg

He never had a family to de-barbarize, even though he did write very pretty books about 93 the subject.

From Project Gutenberg