brutalize

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verb

Definition of BRUTALIZE

1

to make (someone) feel or behave more like an animal than a human being <three years in a prison camp so brutalized him that he couldn't remember how to eat with a fork>

Synonyms animalize, bestialize, dehumanize

Related Words abase, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, deprave, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, warp; contaminate, pollute, taint; disgrace, humble, humiliate

Near Antonyms dignify, exalt, honor; amend, improve; cleanse, purify, restore; respect; elevate, ennoble, uplift

2

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon <Red Cross workers reported that prisoners had been brutalized in truly shocking ways>

Synonyms brutalize, bully, ill-treat, ill-use, kick around, maltreat, manhandle, mess over [slang], mishandle, mistreat, misuse

Related Words molest, outrage, violate; harass, harm, hurt, injure, oppress, persecute, torment, torture; burn, sandbag, victimize, wrong; beat (up), mess (up), rough (up), work (over)

Near Antonyms care (for), cherish, foster, nurture; baby, cater (to), coddle, favor, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil