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
He was then linked to surfer Sarah Brady, who alleged on Instagram in 2023 that Hill was emotionally abusive during their relationship.
—
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Justice has been meted out to one abusive mother.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The evidence will show the Court that Dakota has been the primary aggressor and has been violent and abusive toward me.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Sacramento police denied claims of abusive treatment.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
Justice has been meted out to one abusive mother.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The evidence will show the Court that Dakota has been the primary aggressor and has been violent and abusive toward me.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Sacramento police denied claims of abusive treatment.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
-
Survivors rejected the offer, calling it insulting.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The cast’s sole survivor is Jessica Hecht, who pours miraculous warmth and complexity into her faintly insulting role as Colleen, the head teller, a morally upright spinster goosed by her flirtation with Sonny and the spotlight.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The nuggets were not the most outrageous item in a lineup that included an edible hot sauce packet and Mountain Dew Baja Blast under-eye pads.—
Fielding Buck,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
-
My room, outfitted with a round bed and a freestanding tub, edged into Austin Powers territory—outrageous in theory, wildly practical in reality (especially with the tub offering an impeccable sightline to the TV).—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The incident was captured on the broadcast, and after the game, Duran explained that his obscene gesture was in response to a fan crossing the line.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The most common crime investigated by the unit was the distribution of obscene material depicting minors, followed by elder abuse and rape.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
The lawsuit claims 10 violations of state and federal law, including retaliation, unlawful arrest, unlawful seizure, malicious prosecution and conspiracy and seeks an unspecified amount of money for damages.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This, proponents said, would flag cases where parents might be removing children from school for malicious reasons while sparing those who have done nothing wrong.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Aviators — who lost to the Renegades, 28-23, on Sunday — announced after Ginn's arrest that offensive coordinator Todd Haley would handle head coaching duties for the team, per Yahoo Sports.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The Cleveland Guardians have also stacked some early wins, overcoming their below-average offensive production thanks to a pitching staff that has been striking out opposing hitters at an incredible rate.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
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
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 18 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
