Brutalize (verb)

1. To treat (someone) with extreme cruelty or violence.
2. To subject someone to physical or emotional abuse.

Origin:

From the latin word "brutus" which means stupid, dull or senseless.

Examples:

1. The prisoners were brutalized by their captors.
2. The dictator's regime was known for brutalizing political opponents.
3. They were accused of brutalizing the prisoners during interrogations.
4. He was brutalized by the other kids at school.
5. The animal rights activists claimed that the animals were being brutalized in the laboratory.