brutalise

B3R1U1T1A1L1I1S1E1
/ˈbɹuːt(ə)lʌɪz/

verb

To inflict brutal violence on.

Similar
brutalizeanimalizeanimalise
OriginEnglish brutal ← Medieval Latin brūtālis ← Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? →
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Meanings

verbbrutalise (third-person singular simple present brutalises, present participle brutalising, simple past and past participle brutalised)

present singular third person brutalises · participle present brutalising · participle past brutalised · past brutalised · alternative brutalize

  1. transitiveTo inflict brutal violence on.
  2. transitiveTo make brutal, cruel or harsh.
  3. datedintransitiveTo live or behave like a brute.

Synonyms & antonyms

verbtreat brutally

Similar
brutalize
Broader
treathandledo by

verbmake brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman

Similar
brutalizeanimalizeanimalise
Broader
changealtermodify

verbbecome brutal or insensitive and unfeeling

Similar
brutalizeanimalizeanimalise
Broader
change
Also see
animalize

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*gʷreh₂-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*gʷréh₂usder.?
  3. Proto-Italic*gʷrūtos
  4. Latinbrūtus
  5. Proto-Indo-European*h₂el-
  6. Proto-Indo-European*h₂élisder.?
  7. Medieval Latinbrūtālis
  8. Englishbrutal
  9. Englishbrutalise

From brutal + -ise.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish pahoinpidellä (raa’asti), piestä
  • pahoinpidellä (raa’asti)to inflict violence
  • piestäto inflict violence
  • raaistaato make brutal
French brutaliser, abrutir
  • brutaliserto inflict violence
  • abrutirto make brutal
German brutalisieren
  • brutalisierento make brutal
Italian abbrutire
  • abbrutireto make brutal
Latin effero
  • efferoto make brutal
Māori tunuhuruhuru, whakarekereke
  • tunuhuruhuruto inflict violence
  • whakarekereketo inflict violence
  • tūkinoto inflict violence
  • kōhuruto inflict violence
Swedish brutalisera, brutalisera
  • brutaliserato inflict violence
  • brutaliserato make brutal
Cite this entry
APA

brutalise. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brutalise

MLA

“brutalise.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brutalise. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “brutalise,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/brutalise.

Source: brutalise on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.