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
Examples of abusive in a Sentence
The fans yelled abusive comments to the referee.
protecting wives from abusive husbands
Recent Examples on the Web
Most of the incidents that are recorded are incidents of abusive behavior.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
There are interpolated bits of backstory to explain character — Simon and Jack would be left at school over Christmas by their parents (abusive and cold, respectively).
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
Scott Rudin, who was the subject of allegations of bullying that provoked an industry reckoning on abusive workplace behavior in 2021, is a producer on the revival, which has become one of the unmissable events of the season.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Second, movement restrictions like lockdowns and quarantines can trap women and girls with abusive partners or family members.
—Ilana Seff, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
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.
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
There are interpolated bits of backstory to explain character — Simon and Jack would be left at school over Christmas by their parents (abusive and cold, respectively).
—Robert Lloyd, Boston Herald, 7 May 2026
Scott Rudin, who was the subject of allegations of bullying that provoked an industry reckoning on abusive workplace behavior in 2021, is a producer on the revival, which has become one of the unmissable events of the season.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Second, movement restrictions like lockdowns and quarantines can trap women and girls with abusive partners or family members.
—Ilana Seff, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abusive. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
