lobotomize

[ luh-bot-uh-mahyz, loh- ]

verb (used with object)

, lo·bot·o·mized, lo·bot·o·miz·ing.

1. to perform a lobotomy on.
2. to make (someone or something) abnormally tranquil or sluggish.

Other Words From

• lo·boto·mist noun
• lo·boto·mi·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lobotomize¹

First recorded in 1940–45; lobotom(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

Maybe it would place every human being in suspended animation, or lobotomize us all, or use invasive mind-control technologies to control our behaviors.

From Salon

She wanted to lobotomize him and “stuff his brain with red peppers.”

From New York Times

Asking you to triangulate between today's Democrats and today's Republicans is effectively asking you to lobotomize yourself.

From Salon

The series discusses JFK’s womanizing, the disastrous decision to lobotomize the young Rosemary Kennedy and, in a later episode, Ted Kennedy’s involvement in a deadly car accident in Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts.

From Washington Times

More than that, the entire engagement is crafted to weaken the critical faculties and lobotomize us in a robot mentality.

From New York Times