Definition of abusive
1a : using harsh, insulting language an angry and abusive crowdb : harsh and insulting abusive languagec : 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
adverbabusiveness
nounExplore M-W
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
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The Wichita Eagle reports law enforcement and Transportation Security Administration reports say the woman became verbally abusive early Wednesday when agents tried to confiscate an oversized bottle containing a liquid hand product.
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A former Roman Catholic priest alleges that Mexico City’s archbishop violated the law by not informing authorities outside the church about at least 15 cases of abusive priests.
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At least four of the victims said they were molested after 2001, leading the court to argue that negligence on behalf of Curley, Spanier, and Schultz allowed Sandusky to continue his abusive behavior.
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When her mother decided to leave an abusive relationship, Chrishauna, then 10, and her siblings found themselves at the door of a domestic violence shelter.
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Fleener and other family members told police the younger Fleener had bipolar disorder and other mental health issues, and was often violent and abusive toward the family.
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Shields was criticized for a photoshoot with Glee star Heather Morris with a bruised eye as making light of abusive treatment of women.
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Fifty-four percent of abuse victims surveyed said the violence followed them to work, most commonly in the form of abusive phone calls or text messages and stalking or harassment near the workplace.
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The bleakest section of the book memorializes the dead cats of her youth, several of them killed by Freya, a dog owned by her abusive stepfather, Jeff.
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.
ABUSIVE Defined for Kids
abusive
playDefinition of abusive for Students
1 : using or involving harmful treatment
2 : using harsh insulting language abusive comments
Law Dictionary
abusive
playLegal Definition of abusive
1 : characterized by wrong or improper use or action abusive tax shelters
2 : inflicting verbal or physical abuse abusive parents
abusively
adverbLearn More about abusive
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See words that rhyme with abusive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for abusive Spanish Central: Translation of abusive Nglish: Translation of abusive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of abusive for Arabic speakers
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