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 Merriam-Webster
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 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.
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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.
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In short, the answer depends on whether the speech is abusive or merely offensive.
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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.
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At the time, the company blamed fraudulent and abusive practices by drug-treatment centers for driving up its costs.
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He and Alicia, along with Fear’s viewers, just learned their mother’s backstory: Madison killed her own abusive father.
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Since her daughter's death Tinsley has been an advocate for women who may be in abusive relationships trying to seek help.
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Signs of abusive industry practices predate the 2015 action.
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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