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
abusively
adverb
abusiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of abusive in a Sentence
The fans yelled abusive comments to the referee.
protecting wives from abusive husbands
Recent Examples on the Web
In turn, Israel has accused Hamas of not respecting the order in which the hostages were to be released and of orchestrating abusive public displays before large crowds when they have been handed over to the Red Cross.
—
James MacKenzie, Emily Rose, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Sleepwalker follows a grieving mother who is haunted by the tragic loss of her daughter in a car accident that left her abusive husband in a coma.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
Moldovan journalist Lina receives a video message from her estranged father, a migrant worker in Italy, seeking help from his abusive employer.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
Dear Eric: My four siblings and I were reared by a cruelly abusive mother.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for abusive 
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James MacKenzie, Emily Rose, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
Sleepwalker follows a grieving mother who is haunted by the tragic loss of her daughter in a car accident that left her abusive husband in a coma.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Feb. 2025
Moldovan journalist Lina receives a video message from her estranged father, a migrant worker in Italy, seeking help from his abusive employer.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025
Dear Eric: My four siblings and I were reared by a cruelly abusive mother.
—R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for abusive
Dictionary Entries Near abusive
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abusive. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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