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
The biopic also stars Ben Foster as the trainer who becomes her abusive husband.
—
Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
At one point during the hearing, Richards pleaded for a tissue and began crying while recalling a particularly abusive event in May.
—Tracy Wright , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The boxer's rise to fame — and her relationship with her abusive husband — is captured in Christy, a powerful look back at the most famous female boxer of the '90s.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Our latest client, Daniel Pearson (Keyon Bowman), is in prison for pushing his abusive foster father Clarence down the stairs.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
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Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
At one point during the hearing, Richards pleaded for a tissue and began crying while recalling a particularly abusive event in May.
—Tracy Wright , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
The boxer's rise to fame — and her relationship with her abusive husband — is captured in Christy, a powerful look back at the most famous female boxer of the '90s.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Our latest client, Daniel Pearson (Keyon Bowman), is in prison for pushing his abusive foster father Clarence down the stairs.
—Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 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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