barbarism
3 synonyms and 1 antonym for barbarism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An act of extreme cruelty or savagery.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An act of extreme cruelty or savagery.
“The massacre was condemned as an act of barbarism.”
2. noun
A state of being uncivilized or culturally undeveloped.
“The historian described the region's slide into barbarism after the empire's collapse.”
Opposites
Etymology
From the same root as barbarian and barbaric, ultimately Greek barbaros ("foreigner").
Full origin of barbarism →Frequently asked questions
What does “barbarism” mean?
The word “barbarism” means an act of extreme cruelty or savagery. In plain terms, a cruel or savage act, a state of cultural backwardness, or (in language) a badly formed word or phrase.
How do you pronounce “barbarism”?
“Barbarism” is pronounced BAH-buh-rihzm (/ˈbɑɹbəˈɹɪzm̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “barbarism” in a sentence?
Here is “barbarism” used in a sentence: “The massacre was condemned as an act of barbarism.”
What part of speech is “barbarism”?
“Barbarism” is a noun.
Where does the word “barbarism” come from?
The word “barbarism” comes from Greek. From the same root as barbarian and barbaric, ultimately Greek barbaros ("foreigner").
How many meanings does “barbarism” have?
“Barbarism” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an act of extreme cruelty or savagery.
