abusive

adjective abu·sive \ ə-ˈbyü-siv also -ziv \

Definition of abusive

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

See abusive defined for English-language learners

See abusive defined for kids

Examples of abusive in a Sentence

The fans yelled abusive comments to the referee.
protecting wives from abusive husbands

Recent Examples of abusive from the Web

Hindawi was forced to apologize after past and current employees described abusive behavior that prompted a talent exodus.

— sarah mcbride, Bloomberg.com, "Benchmark's Uber Suit Signals End of Era for Imperious Founders," 11 Aug. 2017
The 28-year-old mother of two was married to an abusive man.

— jennifer wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "There Is an Abortion Litmus Test And It's Called Women's F*cking Rights," 3 Aug. 2017
Post-match, there were abusive comments posted online that are not consistent with our club’s core values.

— patrick brennan, Cincinnati.com, "FC Cincy, USL voice mutual concern for Rochester officiating," 1 Aug. 2017
The party of small government and individual liberty must act as such and condemn the Justice Department’s foray back into the murky, abusive, and authoritarian waters of asset forfeiture.

— tiana lowe, National Review, "On Civil Asset Forfeiture, Jeff Sessions Is the New Kamala Harris," 20 July 2017
The child and her siblings were placed in the custody of the Department of Human Resources because of allegations that the girl's mother was physically abusive, the opinion says.

— mike cason, AL.com, "Lawyer blasts court ruling allowing abortion for 12-year-old who was raped," 19 July 2017
In short, the answer depends on whether the speech is abusive or merely offensive.

— jesse singal, Daily Intelligencer, "Stop Telling Students Free Speech Is Traumatizing Them," 18 July 2017
A Johnson County, Mo., sheriff deputy was injured Monday evening when he was struck by a car during a confrontation with a verbally abusive man.

— robert a. cronkleton, kansascity, "Injured Johnson County, Mo., deputy fires at fleeing car that struck him," 18 July 2017
Jones, speaking in front of Suffolk County Superior Court on Monday, said he was sent to Nazareth in 1975 at age 8 because his mother was dealing with mental and emotional problems and his father was an abusive alcoholic.

— philip marcelo, The Seattle Times, "Man sues Boston archdiocese citing sex abuse at orphanage," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abusive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of abusive

borrowed from Anglo-French abusif "misplaced, wrong, in error," borrowed from Late Latin abūsīvus "misused, catachrestic," from Latin abūsus, past participle of abūtī "to ²abuse" + -īvus -ive

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1538

See Words from the same year