Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for abusive

abusive

[ uh-byoo-siv ]

adjective

  1. using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language:

    an abusive author; abusive remarks.

  2. treating badly or injuriously; mistreating, especially physically:

    his abusive handling of the horse.

  3. wrongly used; corrupt:

    an abusive exercise of power.



abusive

/ əˈbjuːsɪv /

adjective

  1. characterized by insulting or coarse language
  2. characterized by maltreatment
  3. incorrectly used; corrupt


Discover More

Derived Forms

  • aˈbusively, adverb
  • aˈbusiveness, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

  • a·busive·ly adverb
  • a·busive·ness noun
  • nona·busive adjective
  • nona·busive·ly adverb
  • nona·busive·ness noun
  • over·a·busive adjective
  • over·a·busive·ly adverb
  • over·a·busive·ness noun
  • una·busive adjective
  • una·busive·ly adverb
  • una·busive·ness noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of abusive1

From the Late Latin word abūsīvus, dating back to 1575–85. See abuse, -ive

Discover More

Example Sentences

They witnessed and experienced the same types of abusive events, Fenner claims.

And so it goes, another chapter written in the mutually abusive relationship of bad government and bad culture.

That would put a real crimp in the dating seminars of a man who actively encourages abusive behavior toward women.

Julien Blanc says he can teach any man to bed women successfully thanks to easy—and very abusive—techniques.

But she was very abusive to the girls, with punishments ranging from being called ugly to getting beaten with a baseball bat.

He delivered to the Secretary of State a note abusive and impertinent beyond all example and all endurance.

One day Captain Bainbridge, of the Essex, was talked to in an abusive way, and said little back.

Pointing his musket first at one and then at another, he returned yell for yell, and was in fact abusive.

If you had not prevented him, that blackguard would have used abusive language to me and ranged himself on your side.

But his vehement and abusive style of declamation could not in debate be compared with the calm reasoning of Castlereagh.

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


Abu Simbelabut