Babbitts
/ˈbæbɪts/
NOUN
1. Conventional and materialistic people
People who complacently embrace conventional middle-class values, particularly material wealth, social status, business success, and conformity, often without intellectual curiosity or independent thought.
1.1. Materialism and middle-class values
Used disparagingly to describe people who prioritize wealth, possessions, business success, and material comfort while displaying limited interest in intellectual or cultural pursuits.
Synonyms
- capitalists
- materialists
- plutocrats
Antonyms
Examples
- The novel portrays the town's wealthy Babbitts as people obsessed with material success and social standing.
- The intellectual community criticized the Babbitts for their narrow-minded materialism.
- The Babbitts measured their achievements primarily through wealth, possessions, and professional status.
Related Words
- consumerism
- conformity
- complacency
- bourgeoisie
- conventionalism
- commercialism
- philistinism
- social status
1.2. Boors and socially objectionable people
Used insultingly to describe people regarded as crude, vulgar, uncultured, obnoxious, or lacking consideration and refinement in their behavior.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Examples
- The dinner guests considered the loud and inconsiderate Babbitts an embarrassment.
- The author portrayed the town's Babbitts as socially ambitious but intellectually shallow individuals.
Related Words
- boorishness
- vulgarity
- rudeness
- crudeness
- ignorance
- insensitivity
- uncouthness
- bad manners
1.3. Despicable and contemptible people
Used as a derogatory insult for people considered dishonest, unpleasant, worthless, contemptible, or morally objectionable.
Synonyms
Examples
- The neighborhood residents regarded the corrupt Babbitts as dishonest and despicable individuals.
- He refused to associate with the Babbitts who had repeatedly betrayed their friends.
Related Words
- villains
- scoundrels
- rascals
- miscreants
- rascals
- wrongdoers
- dishonesty
- contempt
NOUN
2. Babbitt metal
A soft white bearing alloy, typically composed of tin, antimony, and copper or other metals, used to reduce friction in machinery.
2.1. Bearing alloys and industrial materials
Used as the plural form of Babbitt metal to refer to metal alloys employed in bearing surfaces and machinery components to minimize friction and wear.
Synonyms
- Babbitt metals
Examples
- The workshop stocked several types of Babbitts for manufacturing industrial bearing components.
Related Words
- bearing metal
- white metal
- bearing alloy
- tin alloy
- antimony
- copper
- lubrication
- friction