brutalize

verb

bru·​tal·​ize ˈbrü-tᵊl-ˌīz How to pronounce brutalize (audio)
brutalized; brutalizing

transitive verb

1
: to make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman
temperaments brutalized by poverty and disease
2
: to treat brutally
an accord not to brutalize prisoners of war
brutalization noun

Examples of brutalize in a Sentence

a young man brutalized by the experience of war The prisoners claimed to have been brutalized by their captors.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gunther even brutalized Jimmy while Jay was strapped to a ring rope, unable to assist his brother. Shaheem Reid, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025 The sixth emperor of the famed Mughal dynasty, he is considered by many detractors to be a tyrant who brutalized women, razed Hindu temples, forced religious conversions and waged wars against Hindu and Sikh rulers. Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025 Pitching was supposed to be the hallmark of this year’s club, but it’s been brutalized because of injuries. Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 Images of unarmed Palestinian demonstrators being tear-gassed, shot, and otherwise brutalized spread around the globe. Ben Ehrenreich, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for brutalize

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French brutaliser, going back to Middle French, from brutal brutal + -iser -ize

First Known Use

circa 1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of brutalize was circa 1704

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Cite this Entry

“Brutalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brutalize. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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