as in insulting
marked by harsh insulting language
never one to believe that honorable people can disagree honorably, he invariably launches abusive attacks against anyone who dares to challenge him
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abusive
The family also has to figure out how to protect themselves from Gil, Georgia’s abusive ex-husband and Austin’s dad.
—
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 June 2025
One study found that ninety-two per cent of abusive posts against the country’s leading politicians were directed at Ardern, and that this abuse increased in the last half of 2022.
—Rachel Morris, New Yorker, 5 June 2025
While the constitutional rights are suspended, the expansion into crimes unrelated to gangs is legal, but abusive, lawyers say.
—Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025
Some browsers for Android have blocked the abusive JavaScript in trackers.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 June 2025
One study found that ninety-two per cent of abusive posts against the country’s leading politicians were directed at Ardern, and that this abuse increased in the last half of 2022.
—Rachel Morris, New Yorker, 5 June 2025
While the constitutional rights are suspended, the expansion into crimes unrelated to gangs is legal, but abusive, lawyers say.
—Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025
Some browsers for Android have blocked the abusive JavaScript in trackers.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
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The state legislature just passed the most insulting budget and laws this state has ever seen.—
Michelle Jefferson,
Baltimore Sun,
4 June 2025
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Despite the decision falling in line with White House policy, Rep. Nancy Pelosi – whose San Francisco district includes the Castro – said erasing Milk from the military is particularly insulting.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The concept is both simple and outrageous — an interview done while guests eat a series of chicken wings of increasing spice levels, often with disorienting discomfort — and the show has become a popular sensation and an essential stop on the modern celebrity promotional tour.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
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Each episode explores a pivotal or outrageous moment in marijuana history—from ancient tokes to cultural revolutions—blending humor with surprisingly rich education.—
Matt Rozo,
Mercury News,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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The obscene cost of healthcare has pushed manufacturers offshore and kept wages stagnant for decades.—
Ro Khanna,
Twin Cities,
12 June 2025
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In Tacoma, 35 miles to the south, Ted Bundy grew up near the American Smelting and Refining Co., which disgorged obscene levels of lead and arsenic into the air while netting millions for the Guggenheim dynasty before its 1986 closure.—
Hamilton Cain,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Then, Bennett, the Panthers best player these playoffs, took a tripping penalty behind the play coming out of the offensive zone.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
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But Hinton has the build (6-6, 323 pounds) that offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland prefers at guard.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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This is the threat potential given commonalities despite seemingly different developers, and those links to malicious domains.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka filed a lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba on Tuesday, accusing her of malicious prosecution over his arrest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility last month.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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On Wednesday, the President faced a barrage of ominous developments that might have fazed another leader—a worrisome jobs report, losses in federal court related to four of his signature policies, an increasingly vituperative public breakup with Elon Musk.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
5 June 2025
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Even before Trump took office, many scientists were reluctant to engage with the topic, for fear of being drawn into what has been a very public and vituperative debate.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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The good people of Lancaster County were innocent of the charges thrown at them by raving Southerners and scurrilous Democrats.—
Matthew Karp,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
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Pace David Axelrod’s insinuation, there is nothing untoward or scurrilous about the citizenry asking who knew what — and when.—
The Editors,
National Review,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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Between the time the former Marine Soto was indicted in 2018 and sentenced in 2020, then-President Donald Trump offered up vitriolic invective to Mexican officials.—
Sean Campbell,
The Conversation,
23 May 2025
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Decades later, almost identical invective pours from the mouth of Scott Rudin, infuriated after a manuscript goes to a competitor.—
Alexandra Jacobs,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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