Synonyms of abusive

abusive

adjective

ə-ˈbyü-siv 

as in insulting

marked by harsh insulting language

never one to believe that honorable people can disagree honorably, he invariably launches abusive attacks against anyone who dares to challenge him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insulting
• outrageous
• obscene
• offensive
• malicious
• vituperative
• scurrilous
• vitriolic
• opprobrious
• invective
• hateful
• truculent
• nasty
• outraging
• contumelious
• dirty
• filthy
• vituperatory
• scurrile
• vulgar
• scurril
• indecent
• offending
• foulmouthed
• contemptuous
• libelous
• libellous
• crude
• slanderous
• gross
• defamatory
• spiteful
• scandalous
• foul
• disdainful
• coarse
• scornful
• malevolent
• affronting
• intemperate
• unbridled
• potty-mouthed
• unrestrained
• immoderate
• maligning
• vilifying
• traducing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderate
• respectful
• civil
• temperate
• deferential
• polite
• courteous
• gracious
• judicious
• discreet
• tempered
• laudatory
• mannerly
• praiseful
• laudative
• encomiastic

Examples of abusive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The National Center for Shaken Baby Syndrome estimates that between 1,200 and 1,400 children in the United States are injured or killed by abusive head injuries each year. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 15 Oct. 2024

They’ve also been co-opted for creating abusive deepfakes. —Matt Burgess, WIRED, 15 Oct. 2024

After pushing her abusive husband, Donny (Tilky Jones), off a cliff last season, Jimmy’s patient Grace (Heidi Gardner) is languishing in prison. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 15 Oct. 2024

Father and son are forced to confront their clashing values and issues of integrity and duty when the son attempts to help a woman flee from an abusive gang leader. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2024