abusive

adjective

abu·​sive ə-ˈbyü-siv How to pronounce abusive (audio)
also -ziv
Synonyms of abusivenext
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 of abusive

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Examples of abusive in a Sentence

The fans yelled abusive comments to the referee. protecting wives from abusive husbands
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Of course, parents should intervene when a coach is abusive or a child is genuinely being mistreated. — Jonathan Alpert Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The policy prohibited speakers from directing remarks to individual council members and restricted comments considered personal or abusive. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 With nowhere to put her maternal love after the loss of her son Jason, Pam Voorhees (Linda Cardellini) soon takes an interest in Grace, whose own mom appears to be abusive and neglectful. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026 The pair had a fractured, even abusive, relationship, depicted in a series of flashbacks, until Mitt chose to end his life in the sea rather than succumb to a terminal case of cancer. — David MacK, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abusive

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of abusive was in 1538

Rhymes for abusive

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Browse Nearby Words

abusion
abusive
abustle
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Cite this Entry

“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abusive. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

abusive

adjective
abu·​sive ə-ˈbyü-siv How to pronounce abusive (audio)
-ziv
: using or characterized by abuse
abusively adverb
abusiveness noun

Legal Definition

abusive

adjective
abu·​sive ə-ˈbyü-siv, -ziv How to pronounce abusive (audio)
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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