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

The worst one was emotionally abusive and ridiculously mean. —Essence, 17 Dec. 2024

Yet other experts say that blanket message may miss the world where many people live, facing life in a high-crime neighborhood or worried about an abusive former partner. —John Diedrich, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024

Mangum claimed that about 40 men (some of which were allegedly verbally abusive) were present, prompting her and the other dancer to quickly leave. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024

But Richard Wenk, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway’s script actually keeps a lot of Kraven’s comics lore intact, like his estrangement from his abusive father Nicolai (Russell Crowe). —Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 13 Dec. 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