1. Savage brutality or cruelty in actions or conduct: The newspaper was full of articles describing the barbarity that was taking place in the current war.
2. A cruel or savage act (no pl): The barbarity of his actions towards his brother caused the police to intervene.
3. Brutality or inhuman conduct; cruelty: News regarding the barbarity towards of women was something that appeared often in the local newspaper.
Barbarity is an act or instance of cruelty or inhumanity.
4. Crudity of style, taste, expression, etc.: The barbarity of Jake's comments toward the waiter caused the owner of the restaurant to throw him out!