barbarity

[ bahr-bar-i-tee ]

See synonyms for barbarity on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural bar·bar·i·ties.

brutal or inhuman conduct; cruelty.
an act or instance of cruelty or inhumanity.

crudity of style, taste, expression, etc.

Origin of barbarity

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

Words that may be confused with barbarity

barbarism, barbarity

Words Nearby barbarity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use barbarity in a sentence

When Peter’s turn came, he said he hoped that his son didn’t get shot at in climate-induced barbarity and that he did not starve.
The Climate Crisis Is Worse Than You Can Imagine. Here’s What Happens If You Try. | by Elizabeth Weil | January 25, 2021 | ProPublica
As they now live out their wildest dreams, their barbarity has cost the U.S. far more.
The Luxury Homes That Torture and Your Tax Dollars Built | Michael Daly | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It might appear senseless but that is appearance only, our bafflement before such barbarity.
Senseless. Evil. Silver Linings. Our Misguided Terms of Terror. | William Giraldi | April 23, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The two Chechen wars, fought in 1994-96 and 1999-2000, were almost unparalleled in their barbarity in the postwar era.
Women Who Blow Themselves Up | David Satter | March 30, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
The people here retained the same paganism and barbarity, only they were not so dangerous, being conquered by the Muscovites.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801) | Daniel Defoe

I could find in the Bible more instances of Jahweh's cruelty and barbarity and lack of mercy than I can find room for.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford
It is curious that the Indians of the new world, should so very far exceed all the savage tribes of the old in barbarity.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil | Maria Graham
It was only Dutch, a foolish charm, a heritage of barbarity and ignorance, but I was too weary to protest.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd
Galerius, an Illyrian herdsman, but exhibited more conspicuously upon the throne of empire the native barbarity of his character.
The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry Withrow

British Dictionary definitions for barbarity

barbarity

/ (bɑːˈbærɪtɪ) /

nounplural -ties

the state or condition of being barbaric or barbarous
a brutal or vicious act

a crude or unsophisticated quality, style, expression, etc

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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