verbal abuse

[ vur-buhluh-byoos ]

/ ˈvɜr bəl əˈbyus /

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noun

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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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of verbal abuse

First recorded in 1740–50

Words nearby verbal abuse

verapamil, veratridine, veratrine, verb, verbal, verbal abuse, verbal adjective, verbal auxiliary, verbal irony, verbalism, verbalist

How to use verbal abuse in a sentence

These were cops who had worked the protests and suffered the accompanying verbal taunts and abuse.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
You get these high-profile people that go into prison, and the staff abuse their authority.
How a ‘Real Housewife’ Survives Prison: ‘I Don’t See [Teresa Giudice] Having a Cakewalk Here’|Michael Howard|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When they get someone high profile, like the governor [Bob McDonnell] or like Teresa, they will abuse their positions.
How a ‘Real Housewife’ Survives Prison: ‘I Don’t See [Teresa Giudice] Having a Cakewalk Here’|Michael Howard|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps one of the most egregious examples is the abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

It needs to be said: bigotry in the name of religion is still bigotry; child abuse wrapped in a Bible verse is still child abuse.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen|Parker Molloy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
These are few and verbal, but momentous, and were not made without consultation of many critical authorities and versions.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
A verbal narrative has of course in itself nothing similar to the scenes and events of which it tells.
Children's Ways|James Sully
Quaint old Burton in his "Anatomy of Melancholy," recognizes the virtues of the plant while he anathematizes its abuse.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
These brilliant results were arrived at after much clamour and argument and imposing procès verbal.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
I resolved to investigate the matter, as it was only verbal, so that it might not become public.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

verbal abuse

Origin of verbal abuse

Words nearby verbal abuse

Words related to verbal abuse

How to use verbal abuse in a sentence