barbarianize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowFormal, literary, historical, academic
Quick answer
What does “barbarianize” mean?
To make or become uncivilised, crude, or resembling a barbarian in culture or behaviour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make or become uncivilised, crude, or resembling a barbarian in culture or behaviour.
To cause something to lose refinement, sophistication, or the qualities associated with civilised society; to degrade culturally or morally.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling difference follows regional norms: 'barbarianize' (US) vs. 'barbarianise' (UK).
Connotations
Equally strong negative connotation in both dialects. More likely to be encountered in historical or literary texts than in contemporary speech.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday language in both dialects. Slightly more likely in academic historical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “barbarianize” in a Sentence
[Subject] barbarianizes [Object] (transitive)[Subject] is barbarianized (passive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “barbarianize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The invading hordes were accused of seeking to barbarianise the ancient provinces.
- He argued that mass media would barbarianise public discourse.
American English
- Critics claimed the violent video games would barbarianize the youth.
- The historian wrote about how prolonged war can barbarianize a society.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or cultural studies to describe processes of cultural degradation or regression.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would sound archaic or overly dramatic.
Technical
Not used in scientific or technical contexts; reserved for humanities.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “barbarianize”
- Using it in casual conversation. Confusing it with 'barbarize' (which is synonymous but also rare). Misspelling: 'barbarize' is an accepted shorter form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is very rare and found almost exclusively in formal, historical, or literary writing.
There is no significant difference in meaning. 'Barbarize' is the older and slightly more common form, but both are very rare. 'Barbarianize' is more transparent in its construction.
Almost never. It is inherently pejorative, implying loss and degradation from a (subjectively) higher state.
Yes, the process or result can be called 'barbarianization' (US) / 'barbarianisation' (UK), though it is equally rare.
To make or become uncivilised, crude, or resembling a barbarian in culture or behaviour.
Barbarianize is usually formal, literary, historical, academic in register.
Barbarianize: in British English it is pronounced /bɑːˈbɛːrɪənʌɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɑːrˈbɛriənaɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BARBARIAN entering a civilised city and making it like his own – he 'barbarian-izes' it.
Conceptual Metaphor
CIVILIZATION IS A STATE OF ORDER / BARBARISM IS A STATE OF CHAOS. To barbarianize is to move from order to chaos.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'barbarianize' most appropriately used?