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brutalize

[/ˈbruːtəlaɪz/]
verb
brutalizar
1. to treat with cruelty or violence; to make brutal
The prisoners were brutalized by the guards.
Os prisioneiros foram brutalizados pelos guardas.
2. to make someone less sensitive to suffering or cruelty
Constant exposure to violence can brutalize a person's conscience.
A exposição constante à violência pode brutalizar a consciência de uma pessoa.
3. to assault or attack viciously
The hooligan brutalized his opponent during the match.
O vândalo brutalizou seu adversário durante a partida.
NYC Slang
beat down, rough someone up (informal equivalent)
Synonyms
mistreatabusemaltreattormentvictimizesavageassault
Antonyms
civilizehumanizerefinepampercoddle

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
brutalizar
standard term used across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
brutalizar
common usage in urban contexts
São Paulo
brutalizar
formal and colloquial usage
Portugal
brutalizar
standard European Portuguese term

Related Idioms & Phrases

brutalize someone into submission
brutalized by circumstances
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