brutalize

especially British, bru·tal·ise

[broot-l-ahyz]

verb (used with object)

brutalized, brutalizing 

1. to make brutal.

2. to treat (someone) with brutality.

brutalize

/ ˈbruːtəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become brutal

2. (tr) to treat brutally

Other Word Forms

• brutalization noun
• overbrutalization noun
• overbrutalize verb (used with object)
• unbrutalize verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of brutalize¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; brutal + -ize

Example Sentences

Those videos are sadly just a drop in the toxic river of posts showing immigration agents brutalizing migrants and citizens alike that long ago drowned out almost anything else on my social media feeds.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She had been sitting at her desk when her supervisor handed her a letter from an inmate alleging jailers were brutalizing people in their custody.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Earlier this year, Israeli settlers brutalized another member of the Oscar-winning “No Other Land” team.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“That is just brutalizing a community ... it’s disgusting.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“To see women and children brutalized, older people, people without weapons, killed in front of their family.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• maltreat 
• mistreat 
• torment