brutalize

verb

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

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.
Far from Black people being liberated, conditions changed little for marginalized groups, and Obama’s administration even found opportunities to brutalize them. Literary Hub, 12 Dec. 2025 Packers 24, Bears 17 Upset of the Week Cincinnati at Buffalo Joe Shiesty is back in full form, as the Bengals brutalized the Ravens 32-14 on Thursday night in late November. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Dec. 2025 Art the Clown likes brutalizing women. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Nov. 2025 He was fired a few years later over allegations of brutalizing a suspect in custody. Omar Jimenez, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 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 23 Dec. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on brutalize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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