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 Among the speakers was domestic violence survivor Deborah Coffy, who shared her personal experience and stressed the importance of educating young people about abusive relationships. — Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The company is also announcing a partnership with Signify Group and IC360 to identify people who send abusive messages to athletes related to their Kalshi activity. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026 And many immigrants are staying in abusive relationships, fearful of calling for help or even stepping outside their homes. — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 14 Oct. 2026 The story also explores Seymour's feelings for his co-worker Audrey, who is involved in an abusive relationship. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 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
  • But to propose trading him for anything short of a fourth-round pick is insulting.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Afterward, Lisa brags about her pickpocketing skills and says theft is easier and less insulting to the mark.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • The mill is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and makes a still-outrageous 1,184 hp and 1,106 hp.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2026
  • She was asked what was the most outrageous thing she's ever done in the name of fashion.
    — Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • Another bemoaned the amount of money spent on Marsh’s NIL deal, using similar obscene language.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The disingenuous campaign ads, the obscene amount of money that is spent to air them and the promises that are rarely fulfilled are enough to make one cynical.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 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
  • The malicious system component silently installs apps that look like weather tools, app lockers and other everyday utilities.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation also warned that malicious actors could exploit the vulnerabilities to execute code remotely, putting sensitive data and networks at risk.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • With the Chiefs having the game in hand in the fourth quarter, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy approached head coach Andy Reid with a suggestion.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In his second game back from a hamstring injury, Caleb continued to ride an offensive groove, throwing for 308 yards (22-of-32) and two touchdowns.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 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
  • The Marshall and Hamilton campaigns and the outside groups spending big to influence the race have attempted to define the candidates for voters in vitriolic attack ads.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • While sometimes vitriolic discussions about the gargantuan structures have accompanied increasingly unavoidable AI conversations, data centers themselves have been around since the 1940s.
    — Greta Reich, USA Today, 3 Sep. 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 25 Oct. 2026.

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