The verb "brutalize" refers to the act of treating someone or something with extreme cruelty, often through physical violence or oppression. It can also describe the psychological effects of violence, where an individual or group becomes hardened, desensitized, or cruel through repeated exposure to brutal acts.
Brutalization is commonly discussed in the context of war, authoritarian rule, and colonialism. It is often used to describe the process by which individuals or entire populations are stripped of their dignity and humanity, becoming the victims of unchecked violence and inhumanity. The word also carries with it a sense of degradation—both physical and moral—that affects not only the victim but also the perpetrator.