1. the act or process of making someone cruel or violent through harsh treatment
2. the act of treating someone with extreme cruelty or violence

Examples

• The brutalization of prisoners led to international condemnation.
• Years of war resulted in the brutalization of an entire generation.
• The documentary exposed the brutalization of workers in the factory.
• Child soldiers often suffer psychological brutalization.
• The brutalization of civilians violated international law.
• His brutalization at the hands of his captors left lasting trauma.
• The regime’s brutalization of dissidents sparked protests worldwide.