abusive

adjective

ə-ˈbyü-siv How to pronounce abusive (audio)
Definition of abusivenext
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

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 Her life is controlled by her demanding brother Malik and her abusive boyfriend Wes. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 1 July 2026 At 18, the actress left an emotionally abusive home in Pennsylvania and began working in adult entertainment. — Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2026 None of the abusive behavior that is so common in major college football, and a staple of tailgating at far too many NFL games. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2026 On the issues, reflecting his education and technology background, Burley argues that more should be done to prevent the proliferation of abusive deepfakes involving students and teachers. — John Seiler, Oc Register, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
  1. insulting
  2. outrageous
  3. obscene
  4. vituperative
  5. malicious
  6. offensive
  7. scurrilous
  8. vitriolic
Adjective
  • Considering there were only 33 appearances this past season, such Heat prudence hardly could be viewed as insulting.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 June 2026
  • What Florence has been doing is consistent and insulting.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • Watch crafty servant Scapin spin outrageous webs of disguise and deception to help a band of young lovers outwit their impossibly miserly fathers.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • In addition, their style of play makes broad use of their outrageous attacking options, virtually guaranteeing a supply of chances for a player who can score almost any type of goal from anywhere in the attacking third.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 8 July 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • These stories were reprinted in Scottish and English botanical texts, and Henrietta would have known about the obscene ideas connected with the mushroom.
    — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026
  • Jackson then allegedly drove over into another lane and swerved at the victim, while using an obscene hand gesture.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • In Maine, Graham Platner — who, like Avila Chevalier, had a vituperative social media history — easily defeated the state’s governor, Janet Mills, for the Senate nomination.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Definition of vituperative
Adjective
  • Anthropic has reported banning accounts and tightening filters after detecting attempts to use Claude for phishing emails, malicious code and safeguard bypasses.
    — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Rather than needing years of specialist knowledge, attackers can now use large language models to perform reconnaissance, identify weaknesses, write malicious code and map computer networks in ways that previously demanded significant expertise.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • Aguirre removed Quiñones in favor or taller options, but Mexico never recovered from the loss of offensive creativity.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • The Mets, being one of the worst offensive teams in baseball, don’t often come back from large deficits.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026
Definition of offensive
Adjective
  • Tom Hanks played McCoy, Melanie Griffith played his mistress, and Bruce Willis played a scurrilous journalist in the center of it all.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
  • And in return for all that scurrilous effort, not a single banning.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of scurrilous
Adjective
  • Steve, some of the most vitriolic and toxic letters have come from you.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
  • With Hayward’s growing concern about the vitriolic condition of American politics, the phrase felt resonant.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of vitriolic

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abusing
abusive
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Cite this Entry

“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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