Definition

Noun: 1. A brutal, barbarous, or savage act: An extremely cruel, violent, or uncivilized action. 2. The quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane: The state or characteristic of extreme brutality, savagery, or lack of civilization.

Usage

The word "barbarity" is a formal and strong noun used to describe acts or qualities of extreme cruelty that violate accepted standards of human decency and civilization. It often implies a regression to a primitive or savage state.

Examples

• The historical records detailed the barbarity of the invasion.
• Such acts of barbarity have no place in a modern society.
• The barbarity of the crime shocked the entire nation.
• They were accused of barbarity for their treatment of prisoners.

Advanced Usage

• "The sheer barbarity of...": Used to emphasize the extreme and shocking nature of the cruelty.
  • The sheer barbarity of the attack left the community in mourning.
• "Descend into barbarity": Describes a situation or society becoming extremely cruel and uncivilized.
  • The conflict caused the region to descend into barbarity.

Variants and Related Words

• Barbarous (adj.): Extremely cruel or brutal; primitive and uncivilized.
  • a barbarous act
• Barbarian (n.): Historically, a member of a community or tribe not belonging to one of the great civilizations; a person perceived as uncivilized or brutish.
  • The empire was invaded by barbarians.
• Barbaric (adj.): Savagely cruel; exceedingly brutal. (Often used interchangeably with , but can also imply a lack of refinement).
  • barbaric treatment

Synonyms

• Atrocity: An extremely wicked or cruel act, often involving physical violence.
• Savagery: The quality of being fierce, violent, and uncivilized.
• Brutality: Savage physical violence; cruel and violent behavior.
• Heinousness: The quality of being utterly odious or wicked.

Antonyms

• Humanity: Humaneness; benevolence.
• Civility: Formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech.
• Compassion: Sympathetic concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "An act of barbarity": A common collocation to specify a single, specific cruel deed.
  • The massacre was condemned as an act of barbarity.
• "Sink to new depths of barbarity": Used to describe actions that are even more cruel than previous ones.
  • The regime's latest policies sink to new depths of barbarity.

Noun

1. a brutal barbarous savage act
2. the quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane