brutalize
Translation
to brutalise, to treat cruelly
Examples
The guards would brutalize the prisoners.
The guards would brutalise the prisoners.
War can brutalize young soldiers.
War can brutalise young soldiers.
Grammar Patterns
((sb./sth.)) to treat (sb./sth.) in a savage and violent way The guards brutalized the prisoners.
Similar Words
Synonyms: abuse, mistreat, victimize; Antonyms: civilize, humanize
Etymology
From 'brute' (from Latin 'brutus' meaning 'heavy, dull') plus the verb-forming suffix '-ize'.
Memory Tips
To 'brutalize' is to make someone like a 'brute' or to treat them like one.