abusive
Americanadjective
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using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language.
an abusive author; abusive remarks.
-
treating badly or injuriously; mistreating, especially physically.
his abusive handling of the horse.
-
wrongly used; corrupt.
an abusive exercise of power.
adjective
-
characterized by insulting or coarse language
-
characterized by maltreatment
-
incorrectly used; corrupt
Usage
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.
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
Etymology
Origin of abusive
From the Late Latin word abūsīvus, dating back to 1575–85. See abuse, -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It does help in situations where a member of the public is thinking about being verbally abusive, because they see the camera, they know they're going to be recorded," she said.
From BBC
Queen Camilla spoke about her work with victims of domestic violence and said the focus had to be on ensuring young men do not become abusive partners as adults.
From BBC
"I have no doubt that the prosecution is abusive," Judge Snow added at the hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
From BBC
Many assume that nearly half of people on major platforms regularly post cruel, aggressive, or abusive comments.
From Science Daily
Players can be sanctioned under Darts Regulation Authority rules for aggressive, disruptive or abusive behaviour.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
