What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
barbarism
Example
The barbarism of the war shocked the world. [barbarism: noun]
Example
The invading army showed acts of barbarism towards the local population. [barbarism: plural noun]
brutality
Example
The police officer's brutality towards the suspect was caught on camera. [brutality: noun]
Example
The dictator ruled with an iron fist, using brutality to suppress any opposition. [brutality: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Brutality is more commonly used than barbarism in everyday language. Brutality is a versatile term that can be applied to various situations, while barbarism is less common and tends to be used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between barbarism and brutality?
Both barbarism and brutality can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, barbarism may carry a slightly more formal tone due to its association with cultural or societal analysis, while brutality can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
