abusive

[uh-byoo-siv]

adjective

1. using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language.

   an abusive author; abusive remarks.

2. treating badly or injuriously; mistreating, especially physically.

   his abusive handling of the horse.

3. wrongly used; corrupt.

   an abusive exercise of power.

abusive

/ əˈbjuːsɪv /

adjective

1. characterized by insulting or coarse language

2. characterized by maltreatment

3. incorrectly used; corrupt

Other Word Forms

• abusively adverb
• abusiveness noun
• nonabusive adjective
• nonabusively adverb
• nonabusiveness noun
• overabusive adjective
• overabusively adverb
• overabusiveness noun
• unabusive adjective
• unabusively adverb
• unabusiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abusive¹

From the Late Latin word abūsīvus, dating back to 1575–85. See abuse, -ive

Example Sentences

Drill sergeants greet them with abusive screaming before shaving their heads and shoving uniforms into their hands.

Read more on Salon

It is claimed that the boy was "threatening and abusive" to Amen three days earlier, by brandishing a sword and metal barrier and shouting and swearing.

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Ron’s participation is a bit halfhearted, though, since his daughter has recently fled her abusive and vengeful husband.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Sandy McDougall, an abusive mother barely out of her teens, believes she has killed the baby she relentlessly battered.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The hearing was told on Tuesday that Norris used racially abusive language in prison, according to intelligence reports from different facilities.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• insulting 
• offensive 
• rude 

When To Use

What does abusive mean?

Warning: This article involves discussion of the sensitive topics of physical and emotional abuse. If you or someone you know needs support, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline site to chat or call the hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Abusive is an adjective used to describe a person who abuses a person or an animal—mistreats and causes harm to them. It can also be used to describe such a person’s actions.The noun abuse refers to such mistreatment. A person who abuses someone can be called an abuser.The kind of abuse is sometimes specified before the word abusive, as in physically abusive and emotionally abuse.Example: Just because it’s not physical doesn’t mean it’s not abusive—emotional abuse can leave its own scars.