abusive
Americanadjective
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using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language.
an abusive author; abusive remarks.
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treating badly or injuriously; mistreating, especially physically.
his abusive handling of the horse.
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wrongly used; corrupt.
an abusive exercise of power.
adjective
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characterized by insulting or coarse language
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characterized by maltreatment
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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
Etymology
Origin of abusive
From the Late Latin word abūsīvus, dating back to 1575–85. See abuse, -ive
Explanation
People or actions that are hurtful or harmful are abusive. Being abusive is one of the worst things a parent — or anyone else — can do. Abusive is a strong word for serious actions. A parent asking you to take out the garbage is not being abusive, but a parent who hits you, locks you up, or yells at you repeatedly is being abusive, which is wrong and also illegal. Teachers can be abusive too, and so can bosses, co-workers, or other students. Anyone who has power has a lot of potential to be abusive in a physical or psychological (mental) way. One of the most important parts of being a parent, teacher, boss — or anyone else — is making sure you don't do anything abusive. When you hear the word abusive, think "Someone is being hurt."
Vocabulary lists containing abusive
Workshop 1, Part 1
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"Only Daughter" and "Calling a Foul"
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -ive, -ative, -itive
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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 marks a 13-fold increase compared to 2022 when 6,700 abusive comments were identified, although 48 matches were played in Qatar rather than 72.
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
The government says it is proposing to legislate because existing domestic abuse or coercive control laws do not address "the unique nature of abusive conversion practices".
From BBC • Jun. 25, 2026
In France, the UFC-Que Choisir consumer group is suing French game company Ubisoft for halting its race title "The Crew", claiming unfair trading practices and "abusive" clauses in the terms of use.
From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026
A Call for Change is one of the only helplines in the U.S. that was created to answer calls exclusively from people who think they are abusive.
From Slate • Jun. 15, 2026
You can't effectively fight abusive power, poverty, inequality, illness, oppression, or injustice and not be broken by it.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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.
