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

This is not the first time I have encountered a situation where the hapless staff find themselves brutalized by loud, idiotic, or culturally discordant music.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Republicans were so sure they had permanently captured the Latino vote that they began racially profiling and brutalizing immigrants in the streets of American cities — and believing Latinos would still turn out for GOP candidates.

Read more on Salon

She later learned that the occupiers had brutalized and executed neighbors in the village she fled.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This is about as much of a review of “All’s Fair” worth venturing at this point, since pretty much every critic has brutalized the show.

Read more on Salon

“I wanted that humanity because the real Guiteau was a deeply disturbed man who was psychologically brutalized by his father to the point he was a non-functioning person.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• maltreat 
• mistreat 
• torment