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
Her father, Richard Dale Dempsey, was allegedly an alcoholic and abusive toward her mother, and the two divorced when Sally was little, per Killer Sally.
—
Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
After taking office last December, Blain went on a binge of abusive behavior and terrible decision-making that arguably has as its only recent parallel the actions of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner after his 2012 election.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
All those practices coincide with a rollback in enforcement by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal agency tasked with protecting buyers from abusive financial practices.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 6 Dec. 2025
In the documentary, I am portrayed as an abusive parent.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
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Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025
After taking office last December, Blain went on a binge of abusive behavior and terrible decision-making that arguably has as its only recent parallel the actions of San Diego Mayor Bob Filner after his 2012 election.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
All those practices coincide with a rollback in enforcement by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a federal agency tasked with protecting buyers from abusive financial practices.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 6 Dec. 2025
In the documentary, I am portrayed as an abusive parent.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abusive. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.
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
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