ABUSIVELY Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

abusively

adverb

as in viciously

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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 abusively Ritter has disciplined Menapace after the lawmaker acted rudely or abusively to a committee clerk. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026 Instead, the justices suggested that the board should propose a state law that could impose penalties, such as reductions in attorneys’ fees, for lawyers who act abusively. — Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026 When Rabbit asks to be the one to adopt Stacey after her graduation, Evelyn abusively rejects the notion and Rabbit is crushed. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusively

Adverb

Enzo Fernandez, who already was booked for a first-half yellow card, viciously tackled Spanish defender Pau Cubarsí.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026
Yet somehow, two decades later, the viciously antisemitic Vichy regime planted itself in power; a shocking betrayal by France of some of its most loyal and generous supporters, in a dehumanizing toxic swamp of suspicion, judgment, envy.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026

Definition of viciously

Adverb

Anderson plays the deceased family matriarch who lost her life after a pack of wolves savagely gobbled her up, leaving nearly nothing behind to be buried.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 24 July 2026
Last year, he was savagely attacked by another inmate at California’s Mule Creek State Prison.

— Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Definition of savagely

Adverb

This summer will not repeat the last, where 14 new players arrived at a cost of £170million ($228m) to ruthlessly overhaul a promotion-winning squad.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
But when the swirl of events beyond their control caught them into something immeasurably larger than a single game of soccer, not even the strength of their new mentality was enough to prevent them from being ruthlessly swept away.

— Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 7 July 2026

Definition of ruthlessly

Adverb

Walter’s ties to immigrant detention resulted in protests from members of the Los Angeles community, including many Dodgers fans, who felt that ICE inhumanely targeted them.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
In May 2025, the zoo posted a video of authorities taking a giraffe and accused them of seizing it inhumanely.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Definition of inhumanely

Adverb

Despite her clear influence, Rico was mercilessly heckled by Carti fans during her performance at the Portland tour stop.

— Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
Long pants in summer may not be at the top of your shopping list, but this set is so handy (and polished) for travel days or times in the office when the AC is mercilessly blasting.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 23 July 2026

Definition of mercilessly

Adverb

Residents were treated carelessly, disrespectfully, insensitively.

— Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
In this volatile environment, comments that appear to minimize or frame the shooting insensitively—like Matt Gutman's—can quickly become career-ending.

— Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

Definition of insensitively

Adverb

Conventional wisdom callously had it that audiences might never return, especially after the pandemic in 2020 was followed in short order in 2023 by two prolonged industrywide strikes.

— Adam Aron, Variety, 29 July 2026
The department was known to operate callously, firing people by email or locking them out of buildings.

— Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Definition of callously

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“Abusively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusively. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of abusively

adverb

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