1
as in to humiliate
to make (someone) feel or behave more like an animal than a human being
even three years in a prison camp did not brutalize him
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2
as in to abuse
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
Red Cross workers reported that prisoners had been brutalized
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Recent Examples of brutalize
In 1972, Chicago was still fresh in the mind as the site of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, where cops brutalized protesters.
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Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2024
Now that the Russian brigade has a reputation for brutalizing prisoners, any Ukrainian troops the brigade overruns are likely to fight to the death.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
However, while he’s credited for leading the charge of European immigration to North America, history has shown that Columbus was less a heroic historical figure and more of an arch-villain, bringing disease, wars and more to what would eventually become the U.S. and brutalizing Native Americans.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024
And this is one of the biggest dangers with the current war, is this process of desensitizing people, brutalizing people.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brutalize 
Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Sep. 2024
Now that the Russian brigade has a reputation for brutalizing prisoners, any Ukrainian troops the brigade overruns are likely to fight to the death.
—David Axe, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
However, while he’s credited for leading the charge of European immigration to North America, history has shown that Columbus was less a heroic historical figure and more of an arch-villain, bringing disease, wars and more to what would eventually become the U.S. and brutalizing Native Americans.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2024
And this is one of the biggest dangers with the current war, is this process of desensitizing people, brutalizing people.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for brutalize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for brutalize
Verb
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To see the reigning English champions humiliated and humbled in such a manner is a very rare event.Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
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Teeny feels humiliated over the fact that Genevieve left her out of the Sol vote, which is more than understandable.Nick Caruso, TVLine, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
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That brings enormous power, and the ability to abuse that power.Daniel Eagan, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
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That post in question found Harper outright denying Richards’ lawsuit claims that Diddy subjected them to abuse.Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
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This dehumanizes older women, who are seemingly viewed as not requiring a body that may meet their feminine ideals and who are less likely to be asked for their input on reconstructive care.Tlalit Bussi Tel Tzure, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
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So, despite Trump's dangerous anti-immigration rhetoric and dehumanizing border policies, why are Latinos tempted to vote against their own community?Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 28 Sep. 2024
Verb
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There is a fine line between bullying and encouraging others to do what’s right.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024
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In an application for a restraining order, which was granted by a judge, a woman alleged that Ali harassed, bullied and threatened her.Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
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And many of those deepfake deceptions already live among us, poisoning our digital pathways to connection.Jason Parham, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
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The anti-corruption campaigner began this book in 2020, while recovering in Berlin from being poisoned with Novichok on a domestic flight in Russia.The Week UK, theweek, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
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The film follows an elderly man who goes undercover in a nursing home to investigate claims that a resident was being mistreated.Peter White, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024
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Some of the elders still remember the days when most Shia were mired in rural poverty, mistreated not just by Lebanon’s other sects but by their own semifeudal overlords.Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
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No one state should be allowed to dominate the process, nor should the big states be allowed to oppress the small.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
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Yet, victimhood narrative advocates do just that, framing us as perpetual outsiders, oppressed by America.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Like any good network soap, Grey’s loves to torture us with exaggerated teaser clips.Laura Bradley, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
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If the director can’t or won’t, there’s no need to torture yourself for work.R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Brutalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brutalize. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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