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Synonyms

brutalize

American  
[broot-l-ahyz] / ˈbrut lˌaɪz /
especially British, brutalise

verb (used with object)

brutalized, brutalizing
  1. to make brutal.

  2. to treat (someone) with brutality.


brutalize British  
/ ˈbruːtəˌlaɪz /

verb

  1. to make or become brutal

  2. (tr) to treat brutally

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of brutalize

First recorded in 1695–1705; brutal + -ize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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.

From 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.

From 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.”

From Los Angeles Times

In Los Angeles, the sun was rising over neighborhoods brutalized by flames.

From Los Angeles Times

And while the Cavs blitzed the Lakers from three early, it was their transition and interior defense that ended up getting most brutalized.

From Los Angeles Times