as in insulting
marked by harsh insulting language
never one to believe that honorable people can disagree honorably, he invariably launches abusive attacks against anyone who dares to challenge him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abusive
And, independent of her adaptations, Reid and her childhood friend Ashley Rodger wrote a jukebox Chicks musical, Goodbye, Earl, about two friends who team up to kill one’s abusive husband, with the Chicks signed on as executive producers.
—
Lucy Feldman, Time, 15 May 2025
How To Offer Support With Sensitivity And Empathy Supporting someone in an abusive relationship requires more than just offering advice.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Federal prosecutors will be motivated by her accounts of their relationship, which paint the 55-year-old artist as abusive and coercive.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 12 May 2025
Rolling Stone also previously uncovered a pattern of abusive behavior dating back to Combs’ time at Howard University.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Lucy Feldman, Time, 15 May 2025
How To Offer Support With Sensitivity And Empathy Supporting someone in an abusive relationship requires more than just offering advice.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Federal prosecutors will be motivated by her accounts of their relationship, which paint the 55-year-old artist as abusive and coercive.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 12 May 2025
Rolling Stone also previously uncovered a pattern of abusive behavior dating back to Combs’ time at Howard University.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
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The idea that women need to be properly taught how to conceive a child through a government program is a particularly insulting proposal, says Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of Moms First.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
22 Apr. 2025
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But in March, U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma, Wash., ruled for several long-serving transgender military members who say that the ban is insulting and discriminatory and that their firing would cause lasting damage to their careers and reputations.—
Mark Sherman,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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MrBeast has garnered a massive fanbase through his videos featuring outrageous stunts and big-money giveaways.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
12 May 2025
-
Betty, Bob, and Thorgy are all hugely committed and funny, wearing bold New Wave patterns and outrageous hair.—
Barry Levitt,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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After the man told the boy to get out of the road, the juvenile responded with cursing and an obscene gesture, the report said.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
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Stop into any local bakery and ask for their specialty, many of which contain obscene amounts of egg yolks.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That abundance of offensive talent might, however, be holding the team back.—
Scott Soshnick,
Sportico.com,
20 May 2025
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Indiana Season series: New York, 2-1 New York Knicks The Knicks’ offensive plan is simple enough.—
Jack Magruder,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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The ransomware attacks in question started with malicious Google Ads deployed by the threat actors.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Unlike Rhoades, a vituperative colossus, however, Williams brings a steely determination and a Joe Friday, just-the-facts mien to his lawyering in the court of public opinion.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2024
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This dynamic has grown most acute between Iran and Saudi Arabia, whose tit-for-tat exchange is growing ever more vituperative and violent.—
Kenneth M. Pollack,
Foreign Affairs,
16 Feb. 2016
Adjective
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Pace David Axelrod’s insinuation, there is nothing untoward or scurrilous about the citizenry asking who knew what — and when.—
The Editors,
National Review,
19 May 2025
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Players known for sometimes scurrilous behavior were scared off by that lifetime ban.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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So despite invective aimed at Trump and DOGE, limiting executive power is hardly what progressives want.—
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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In the same year, Disney’s ESPN had to contend with host Pat McAfee, a rambunctious host, hurling invective at a former senior executive, Norby Williamson, who the host alleged had tried to sabotage his program.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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