barbarity
C1/C2Formal, Literary, Journalistic
Definition
Meaning
Extreme cruelty and brutality.
A state or quality of being uncivilized, savage, or characterized by inhumane acts; also, an individual act of great cruelty.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically refers to acts of extreme violence, cruelty, or inhumanity, often in a war, conflict, or oppressive context. It strongly connotes a violation of civilized norms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations of extreme savagery and moral repugnance in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency, formal word in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + the barbarity of + [noun phrase] (e.g., 'exposed the barbarity of the regime')[noun] + of + barbarity (e.g., 'an act of barbarity')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sink to new depths of barbarity”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially used in ethical discussions (e.g., 'The barbarity of the supply chain conditions was exposed.')
Academic
Common in history, political science, and ethics to describe wars, regimes, or historical practices.
Everyday
Uncommon. Used for emphasis in serious discussions about violence or injustice.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields outside specific historical or legal analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The barbaric acts shocked the world.
- They endured barbaric conditions.
American English
- The attack was barbaric and unprovoked.
- He condemned the barbaric treatment of prisoners.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The war was marked by great barbarity.
- Historians have documented the barbarity of the occupation in grim detail.
- The film does not shy away from portraying the sheer barbarity of the conflict.
- The tribunal was established to prosecute those responsible for acts of unspeakable barbarity.
- His polemic argued that beneath a thin veneer of civilisation lies a constant potential for human barbarity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BARBAR'ity – like the historical 'barbarians' known for their savage attacks on Roman civilization.
Conceptual Metaphor
BARBARITY IS A RELAPSE INTO PRIMITIVE SAVAGERY / BARBARITY IS THE ABSENCE OF CIVILIZATION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с «варварством» только в смысле некультурности или грубости. Английское 'barbarity' почти всегда подразумевает жестокое насилие, а не просто отсутствие манер.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean simple rudeness or lack of sophistication (too weak).
- Confusing it with 'barbarism' (which can also mean a linguistic mistake or an uncivilized state).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'barbarity' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Barbarity' strongly emphasizes extreme cruelty and inhuman treatment. 'Barbarism' can mean the same but is broader, also referring to an uncivilized state or condition, and can be used for non-standard language use.
No, it's a formal, high-register word. In everyday speech, people are more likely to use 'cruelty', 'brutality', or simply 'awful violence'.
Yes, it can be used as a countable noun (e.g., 'the barbarities of the regime') or an uncountable noun referring to the general quality (e.g., 'an age of barbarity').
The most common adjective is 'barbaric'. 'Barbarous' is also correct but less frequent and more literary.
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