verbal abuse

American  

[vur-buhl uh-byoos] / ˈvɜr bəl əˈbjus /

noun

1. speech that is intended to humiliate and intimidate.

   Physical or verbal abuse directed toward patients, families, colleagues, or staff will not be tolerated.

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Etymology

Origin of verbal abuse

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

verbal abuse

A 437-page report written by a panel of three judges in 2021 found that the state had shirked its duty to protect Caruana Galizia and subjected her to personal attacks and verbal abuse from politicians.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

Albert Manifold was removed as BP chairman with immediate effect due to whistleblower reports of verbal abuse and mishandling information.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026

Alan, not his real name, said he has been repeatedly subjected to "degrading and humiliating" verbal abuse by his colleagues at a McDonald's branch in southwest Scotland.

From BBC ● Jan. 6, 2025

But Klotz, 54, alleges the Figueroa comments were just the tip of an iceberg of verbal abuse women in the unit faced.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2024

With the nimble alacrity of his kind he rocketed thirty feet upward, where, from a swaying vine, he hurled a torrent of verbal abuse at the grinning youth in the trail below.

From Warrior of the Dawn by Howard Browne