barbarism

noun

bar·​ba·​rism ˈbär-bə-ˌri-zəm 

1

a

: a barbarian or barbarous social or intellectual condition : backwardness

b

: the practice or display of barbarian acts, attitudes, or ideas

2

: an idea, act, or expression that in form or use offends against contemporary standards of good taste or acceptability

Examples of barbarism in a Sentence

The barbarism of his dictatorship cannot be ignored.

Such barbarisms cannot be tolerated.

Recent Examples on the Web

Decades of Palestinian barbarism have eroded the pity reserves of a majority of the Israeli people. —Uri Kurlianchik, National Review, 25 Feb. 2025

For instance, the surprising details of Liat’s capture fly in the face of the tales of barbarism the subjects have been told. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025

Thus, Airman Bushnell had reasonable cause to object to participation in the crime and substantial moral grounds for his repudiation of his nation’s descent into primitive barbarism. —Kary Love, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

This story illuminates how differing priorities and a lack of self-awareness can cause major societal fractures, fostering groupthink and barbarism. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for barbarism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

barbarism

noun

bar·​ba·​rism ˈbär-bə-ˌriz-əm 

: the state, ideas, or behavior of a barbarian