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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abusive
The news follows Rudin’s announced return to theatrical producing, after a Hollywood Reporter investigation in 2021 had detailed multiple allegations of abusive behavior in claims from ex-staffers.
—
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
The abusive father and violent end were a little above our collective pay grade, and paired very poorly with tea and Girl Scout cookies.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Hsiao-lee’s abusive parents constantly keep her on the edge.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
The actors try to check in with children before and after abusive scenes.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
The abusive father and violent end were a little above our collective pay grade, and paired very poorly with tea and Girl Scout cookies.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Hsiao-lee’s abusive parents constantly keep her on the edge.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
The actors try to check in with children before and after abusive scenes.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
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Using those who serve in uniform as political props is insulting.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The whole thing feels redundant and borderline insulting.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The lack of answers and accountability is outrageous, said Adjua Broadbelt, her niece.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
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The publication calls it a white-knuckle favorite standing more than 200 feet high and featuring outrageous maneuvers.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Clothing must not feature offensive language, obscene gestures/graphics, or nudity or clothing that does not sufficiently cover undergarments.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The store supplied her with bondage pants, kilts, and T-shirts printed with obscene illustrations.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Low, who has been in regular contact with NRC colleagues on the ground — most of them local staff — said civilians are being forced into impossible decisions as the offensive intensifies.—
Kaity Kline,
NPR,
18 Sep. 2025
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Cal’s offensive staff includes two former Mountain West head coaches.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In addition, users will be able to permanently block a user from quote-sharing any of their posts, as a hedge against malicious dunks.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
13 Sep. 2025
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That means malicious software is getting smarter, faster and harder to detect.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the years intervening, the poem has remained a lodestar, a contravening presence when, in present day America’s vituperative political landscape, the humanities disciplines and higher education itself has been forced to invoke and defend its own authority.—
Elaine L. Wang
September 11,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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Even the company’s most vituperative detractors acknowledge its engineering genius and applaud its success in driving down launch expenses (unlike many defense contractors, SpaceX largely eats the cost of its failures).—
Franklin Foer,
The Atlantic,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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The justices who renounced that lie in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center exposed themselves to scurrilous criticisms and even threats to their safety.—
The Editors,
National Review,
24 June 2025
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Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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What was meant to be a moment of silence for Kirk on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening soon gave way to flashes of a vitriolic political divide that would escalate in the aftermath of the 31-year-old’s death.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Still, people are allowed to form their own opinions and have their own preferences — and that shouldn’t come with vitriolic attacks on social media.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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