ˈbɑː(ɹ)bəɹəs ˈbɹuːtəl ˈɹʌfʃɒd ˈɹʌfʃɑd ˈsævɪdʒ ˈvɪʃəs primitive in customs and culture (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering a barbarous crime brutal beatings cruel tortures Stalin's roughshod treatment of the kulaks a savage slap vicious kicks