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
For years, rumors have swirled about the bankruptcy filings including the names of additional abusive clergy members, but that claim has never been substantiated.
—
Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
That might mean that bills, or other correspondence about the birth, could be sent to a woman’s home, where an abusive partner, for instance, might find them.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Heartbreaking to hear her talk about needing an escape from her abusive husband.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Among them was a mom of three trying to work up the courage to leave her abusive partner.
—Essence, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
That might mean that bills, or other correspondence about the birth, could be sent to a woman’s home, where an abusive partner, for instance, might find them.
—Alana Semuels, Time, 8 Oct. 2025
Heartbreaking to hear her talk about needing an escape from her abusive husband.
—Grace Byron, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025
Among them was a mom of three trying to work up the courage to leave her abusive partner.
—Essence, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
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To educate all of them in similar ways is insulting, and silly.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Perkins said the drink bore the insulting message.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That would mean the government has done something, or multiple things, so outrageous as to violate Comey's due process rights under the Constitution.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
9 Oct. 2025
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Actress sounds alarm on 'outrageous' support for Hamas, two years since Oct 7 massacre.—
,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This culture is incredibly cruel, and things have gotten really obscene.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
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In 2009, former Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for making an obscene gesture toward a Buffalo Bills fan.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Seahawks rank 10th in offensive EPA/play and sixth in defensive success rate.—
Austin Mock,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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Taking over for Brady after his retirement following the 2022 season, was Mayfield, who is off to the best start of his NFL career through six games even while managing without several key offensive weapons.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 2025
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In fact, malicious hackers often strike when their target’s guard is down.—
Richard Forno,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 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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In the Hulu version of the story, Clarke plays Alex, a middle-aged lawyer stealing money from his clients and funneling it into an opioid addiction and, the series implies, other scurrilous crimes.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Whether ecstatic or vitriolic, the attention the book garnered was unprecedented.—
Via Scribner,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
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One of the most viral and vitriolic critiques came from Crissle West, co-host of the popular pop-culture podcast The Read.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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