abusive

adjective

abu·​sive ə-ˈbyü-siv 

 also  -ziv

1

a

: using harsh, insulting language

an angry and abusive crowd

b

: harsh and insulting

abusive language

c

: using or involving physical violence or emotional cruelty

abusive behavior

an abusive husband

an abusive relationship

2

: characterized by wrong or improper use or action

especially : corrupt

abusive financial practices

abusively adverb

abusiveness noun

Synonyms

• contumelious
• invective
• opprobrious
• scurrile
• scurril
• scurrilous
• truculent
• vitriolic
• vituperative
• vituperatory

Examples of abusive in a Sentence

The fans yelled abusive comments to the referee.

protecting wives from abusive husbands

Recent Examples on the Web

What’s more, Black women in abusive relationships are three times more likely to be murdered by their partner than white women. —Natalie Wilson and Derrica Wilson, Essence, 30 Oct. 2024

On March 22, about a month before her death, Mica Miller posted a video on Facebook offering advice to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Sarah Hyland expressed gratitude for her Modern Family TV mom Julie Bowen's support amid a past abusive relationship in an emotional speech about domestic violence. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Anna Kendrick is super outspoken about her abusive relationship and her path to healing. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French abusif "misplaced, wrong, in error," borrowed from Late Latin abūsīvus "misused, catachrestic," from Latin abūsus, past participle of abūtī "to abuse entry 2" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

abusive

adjective

abu·​sive ə-ˈbyü-siv 

-ziv

: using or characterized by abuse

abusively adverb

abusiveness noun

Legal Definition

abusive

adjective

abu·​sive ə-ˈbyü-siv, -ziv 

1

: characterized by wrong or improper use or action

abusive tax shelters

2

: inflicting verbal or physical abuse

abusive parents

abusively adverb