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
Worrell said their work sometimes means the difference between a victim pursuing a criminal case or going back home to an abusive situation.
—
Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
When his father became abusive, his mother moved them to a hotel, and later an apartment, and raised Talarico in east Austin.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Related Stories Dunja, an unemployed teacher and single mom, is trying to reconstruct her life while coping with her abusive ex-husband Kemo, who’s in prison.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
Retaliation can include firing but also other forms of harassment at work, such as abusive supervision and close monitoring by human resource departments.
—Donald T. Tomaskovic-Devey, The Conversation, 16 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
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Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
When his father became abusive, his mother moved them to a hotel, and later an apartment, and raised Talarico in east Austin.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Related Stories Dunja, an unemployed teacher and single mom, is trying to reconstruct her life while coping with her abusive ex-husband Kemo, who’s in prison.
—Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026
Retaliation can include firing but also other forms of harassment at work, such as abusive supervision and close monitoring by human resource departments.
—Donald T. Tomaskovic-Devey, The Conversation, 16 Feb. 2026
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 Feb. 2026.
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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