BRUTALIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does brutalize mean? 

• BRUTALIZE (verb)
  The verb BRUTALIZE has 3 senses:

1. treat brutally

2. make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman

3. become brutal or insensitive and unfeeling

  Familiarity information: BRUTALIZE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BRUTALIZE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they brutalize    ... he / she / it brutalizes   
Past simple: brutalized   
Past participle: brutalized   
-ing form: brutalizing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Treat brutally

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

brutalise; brutalize

Hypernyms (to "brutalize" is one way to...):

do by; handle; treat (interact in a certain way)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

brutalization (the activity of treating someone savagely or viciously)

brutalization (the condition of being treated in a cruel and savage manner)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

animalise; animalize; brutalise; brutalize

Context example:

Life in the camps had brutalized him

Hypernyms (to "brutalize" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody

Derivation:

brutal (resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility)

brutalization (an act that makes people cruel or lacking normal human qualities)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Become brutal or insensitive and unfeeling

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

animalise; animalize; brutalise; brutalize

Hypernyms (to "brutalize" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

brutal (resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility)

brutalization (an act that makes people cruel or lacking normal human qualities)

 Context examples 

Such a spectacle may brutalize those who are brutal, but I say that there is a spiritual side to it also, and that the sight of the utmost human limit of endurance and courage is one which bears a lesson of its own.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)