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 backstory flashbacks about an abusive father that suggest not all monsters have fangs?
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
With a narrative confined to the early years, the film focuses on Michael getting out from under the thumb of his controlling, abusive father in order to live his own life and make his own music.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
The result is that many people with civil claims are effectively unable to use the court system to help with such complaints as an abusive work environment, racial discrimination, environmental violations, police brutality or other issues handled by the federal courts.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Social media can be a valuable lifeline to some of the most vulnerable young people, like those in abusive situations or those who often feel isolated offline, such as LGBTQ+ teens.
—Jennifer Huddleston, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
With a narrative confined to the early years, the film focuses on Michael getting out from under the thumb of his controlling, abusive father in order to live his own life and make his own music.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
The result is that many people with civil claims are effectively unable to use the court system to help with such complaints as an abusive work environment, racial discrimination, environmental violations, police brutality or other issues handled by the federal courts.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Social media can be a valuable lifeline to some of the most vulnerable young people, like those in abusive situations or those who often feel isolated offline, such as LGBTQ+ teens.
—Jennifer Huddleston, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
-
The mayor at the time, Dean Koldenhoven, vetoed the buyout, calling it insulting to Muslims.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
For filmmakers who view their individual work as the center of gravity, this can sit somewhere between confusing and insulting.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At those prices, the Cheer-Like-A-Native flight ticket of $836 to Montevideo seems outrageous.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
The finish is completely outrageous.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
Faced with that reality, our inability to relate to one another becomes almost obscene.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
For instance, the ruling recognized that the government’s need to protect national security might require it to prevent publication of the number and location of troops and that the primary requirements of decency might require censorship of obscene publications.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
-
David smells an opportunity but completely misreads Hale, a vicious and vituperative man who delights in tormenting lesser writers.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The malicious Iranian regime is our national enemy.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Under President John Adams, the Federalists sought to eradicate French ideological influence by raising the bar to citizenship, lowering the bar to deportation, and criminalizing malicious criticism of the federal government.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Plummer even had time to throw, as the offensive line held up in protection and kept the quarterback upright then entire game.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
Last year’s Red Sox were a top-10 team in several offensive metrics, but the struggles to capitalize were always there.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
Tom Hanks played McCoy, Melanie Griffith played his mistress, and Bruce Willis played a scurrilous journalist in the center of it all.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
-
And in return for all that scurrilous effort, not a single banning.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Online, the responses turned vitriolic.—
Robin Romm,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
To attend an Old Firm fixture, as the rivalry is known, is to understand the frenetic, vitriolic, passionate and sometimes poisonous world of football in Glasgow.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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