abusive
adjective
abu·sive
ə-ˈbyü-siv 
also -ziv
1
a
: using harsh, insulting language
an angry and abusive crowd
b
: harsh and insulting
abusive language
c
: using or involving physical violence or emotional cruelty
abusive behavior
an abusive husband
an abusive relationship
2
: characterized by wrong or improper use or action
abusively
adverb
abusiveness
noun
Examples of abusive in a Sentence
The fans yelled abusive comments to the referee.
protecting wives from abusive husbands
Recent Examples on the Web
In this exclusive excerpt, Lennon delves into Hale’s rough background, what led him to, in his telling, kill his older, allegedly abusive boyfriend — and the law that could one day set him free.
—
John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
The workers in large industrial mines, who are more often male, also face abusive conditions and need fair wages in order to support their families, says Anneke Van Woudenberg, executive director of RAID, a corporate watchdog organization.
—Xanthe Scharff, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
These include Operation School Bell, which provides school clothes and books to students in need and Operation New Start, which gives clothing and household items to women and children leaving abusive situations.
—Jeffrey Miller, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
One roommate drinks and becomes verbally abusive to me and his boyfriend.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
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John J. Lennon, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
The workers in large industrial mines, who are more often male, also face abusive conditions and need fair wages in order to support their families, says Anneke Van Woudenberg, executive director of RAID, a corporate watchdog organization.
—Xanthe Scharff, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
These include Operation School Bell, which provides school clothes and books to students in need and Operation New Start, which gives clothing and household items to women and children leaving abusive situations.
—Jeffrey Miller, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
One roommate drinks and becomes verbally abusive to me and his boyfriend.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abusive. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abusive
adjective
abu·sive
ə-ˈbyü-siv
-ziv
: using or characterized by abuse
abusively
adverb
abusiveness
noun
Legal Definition
abusive
adjective
abu·sive
ə-ˈbyü-siv, -ziv
1
: characterized by wrong or improper use or action
abusive tax shelters
2
: inflicting verbal or physical abuse
abusive parents
abusively
adverb
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