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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abusive
Users are encouraged to report anyone on the site who sends offensive or abusive messages, or who behaves inappropriately on dates.
—
Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Betrayal also makes escaping abusive relationships, including physically violent ones, difficult.
—Anne P. Deprince, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
The research aimed to find out whether there are indicators that reliably precede and predict abusive behaviors.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Survivors often delay escaping an abusive situation out of concern for their pets.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Annie Joy Williams, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
Betrayal also makes escaping abusive relationships, including physically violent ones, difficult.
—Anne P. Deprince, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
The research aimed to find out whether there are indicators that reliably precede and predict abusive behaviors.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Survivors often delay escaping an abusive situation out of concern for their pets.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
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While their insulting jabs at each other make for good laughs, their arc as teammates learning to work together is what gives the film its heart.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
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Prestianni, who has denied racially insulting Vinícius and has been defended by Benfica, was provisionally suspended for one match by UEFA and did not play in the second leg.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The fact that the administration, and our secretary of state and the president tried to blame Israel is outrageous, cowardly and dangerous.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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Four large porcini ravioli for $40 is pretty outrageous — that’s seriously $10 per.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Lauren Elliott, though, was a designer at Broderbund Games, working in a former liquor store beneath a sign that said DEPARTMENT OF REDUNDANCY REDUCTION DEPARTMENT alongside an impish ex-Disney animator named Gene Portwood who often doodled Mickey Mouse in obscene poses.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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Using obscene or abusive language Any use of profanity, insults or abusive language is prohibited under the FDCPA.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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David smells an opportunity but completely misreads Hale, a vicious and vituperative man who delights in tormenting lesser writers.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
9 Feb. 2026
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But, in private, Koren could be aggressive and vituperative—a competitive colleague who sought to destroy the reputations and careers of those who crossed him.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The settlement resolves a 2023 lawsuit in which Flynn sought at least $50 million and asserted that the criminal case against him amounted to a malicious prosecution.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
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The most dire real-life cyberattacks on hospitals involve ransomware, a class of malicious software that encrypts data and locks down computers and networks, demanding significant amounts of cash for the promise of relief.—
Jeffrey Tully,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Current, winners of the NWSL Shield last season, had several more offensive chances than the Stars and put a shot on goal in the first minute of the game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Hawkeyes upset Florida’s offensive rhythm to force six turnovers in the first eight minutes, while the Gators missed numerous scoring opportunities close to the basket.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And in return for all that scurrilous effort, not a single banning.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
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There were even scurrilous songs composed about the couple.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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To attend an Old Firm fixture, as the rivalry is known, is to understand the frenetic, vitriolic, passionate and sometimes poisonous world of football in Glasgow.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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When the San Francisco Chronicle axed its stand-alone books section, in 2001, the paper’s editors were overwhelmed by an ensuing crush of vitriolic mail.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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