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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abusive
Despite his career success, Bart is struggling emotionally, still traumatized by memories of his abusive father (providing the opportunity for flashbacks featuring Quaid, whose character died in the previous film).
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
The pair become inseparable, frolicking together on the moors and putting up with Cathy's abusive dad.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2026
Being cheated on or in an abusive relationship can leave a deep imprint on one’s psyche and lead to an ex appearing in dreams.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2026
Rita was first married for 22 years to an emotionally abusive man and then remarried to a manipulative one.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026
The pair become inseparable, frolicking together on the moors and putting up with Cathy's abusive dad.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2026
Being cheated on or in an abusive relationship can leave a deep imprint on one’s psyche and lead to an ex appearing in dreams.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2026
Rita was first married for 22 years to an emotionally abusive man and then remarried to a manipulative one.
—Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
-
Some leaders, producers and directors were not amused by Goldberg, saying her remarks were insulting and dismissive of a serious fight to gain diversity within the motion picture industry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
With all of the furor over the halftime show, perhaps no one noticed two highly insulting events that directly affected the deaf audience.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But it’s evolved into an even better production, one that manages to be simultaneously outrageous and moving, carrying its conflicting emotional extremes with grace and nuance.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The least outrageous liquid should be number one and the most outrageous should be the highest number.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Others include copropraxia, or obscene gestures, and non-obscene but socially inappropriate tics, such as making kissing sounds, spitting or touching others.—
Rena Zito,
Fortune,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Davidson has Tourette's with Coprolalia, which involves involuntary outbursts of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, according to the Tourette Association of America.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Bal and Chi-Fou-Mi Productions, while almost certainly proceeding without Israeli institutional support, given the vituperative reactions his recent films have provoked — and, by his own admission, have been designed to provoke.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Claude initially warned the unknown user of malicious intent during their conversation about the Mexican government, but eventually complied with the attacker’s requests and executed thousands of commands on government computer networks, the researchers said.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Here’s the Harvest Data The DNR said the charges for hunter harassment and malicious destruction of a blind were filed with the County Prosecutor’s office.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Illinois was also dominant on the glass, picking up 20 offensive rebounds, creating second-chance opportunities that forced overtime and gave them a lead with four seconds remaining in the extra period.—
Sean Campbell,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Powell, who, like Mitchell, has been battling an illness, then came around with almost flawless offensive play, taking advantage of open driving lanes offered by the Grizzlies’ defense.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And in return for all that scurrilous effort, not a single banning.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
There were even scurrilous songs composed about the couple.—
Hadley Hall Meares,
Vanity Fair,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
