abusive
[ uh-byoo-siv ]
/ əˈbyu sɪv /
adjective
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.
QUIZZES
DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?
"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
OTHER WORDS FROM abusive
Words nearby abusive
abundant year, abundantly, abury, abusage, abuse, abusive, abut, abutilon, abutment, abuttal, abuttals
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for abusively
He is neither piously inclined, nor hysterically fearful, nor abusively rebellious—he simply waits his fate.
My Experiences as an Executioner|James BerryEven upon an Assembly numerically limited, this innovation would have told most abusively.
We know men who have what may be styled, and what sometimes is abusively styled, a double life.
The Will to Doubt|Alfred H. LloydI was told that he is still talking angrily and abusively of us, and I was indignant.
War's Brighter Side|Julian Ralph.
British Dictionary definitions for abusively
abusive
/ (əˈbjuːsɪv) /
adjective
characterized by insulting or coarse language
characterized by maltreatment
incorrectly used; corrupt
Derived forms of abusive
abusively, adverbabusiveness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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