Synonyms of abusive

abusive

adjective

ə-ˈbyü-siv 

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

• insulting
• outrageous
• obscene
• vituperative
• malicious
• offensive
• scurrilous
• vitriolic
• opprobrious
• invective
• truculent
• nasty
• hateful
• outraging
• dirty
• contumelious
• filthy
• vituperatory
• scurrile
• vulgar
• indecent
• offending
• contemptuous
• libelous
• crude
• gross
• slanderous
• defamatory
• spiteful
• scandalous
• foulmouthed
• foul
• disdainful
• coarse
• scornful
• malevolent
• affronting
• intemperate
• unbridled
• potty-mouthed
• unrestrained
• immoderate
• maligning
• vilifying
• traducing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moderate
• respectful
• civil
• temperate
• deferential
• polite
• courteous
• gracious
• judicious
• discreet
• tempered
• laudatory
• mannerly
• praiseful
• laudative
• encomiastic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abusive

And there’s also the theory that letting people engage in abusive and cruel behavior with an interactive program that can’t shut itself down is bad for society in general, Campbell said. — Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026

After its initial success, engineers in Silicon Valley were surprised at how abusive users were and convened emergency meetings to deal with the issue, Gillies says. — Will Tizard, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026

And there are the foot soldiers themselves, whose earnest dedication to honor, even within a warped and abusive framework, Sorkin and his characters can’t help respecting. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

The portrait that emerges is one of Holmes as the victim of yet another controlling, abusive man. — ArsTechnica, 30 Oct. 2026