verbal abuse

noun

: harsh and insulting language directed at a person
She was a victim of verbal abuse.

Examples of verbal abuse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo added that some verbal abuse aimed at Pham is racially charged. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025 But that relationship was tumultuous, marked by back-and-forth allegations of physical, emotional and verbal abuse, which both have denied. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025 Officers regularly face taunts, verbal abuse and a profound lack of support in the communities where they’re stationed — despite putting their lives on the line to protect those very communities. Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 The parents say their children were subjected to verbal abuse and were denied medical care while detained. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verbal abuse

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Verbal abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbal%20abuse. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!