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
Good results don't excuse abusive leadership Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA TODAY.
—
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Growing up, Amy claims her father, Terry Jordan, was emotionally abusive towards her and her mother and as a result, Deanna was not able to fully commit herself to parenting.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
The Ryder Cup had already been under fire for its unapologetic and abusive crowd behavior, particularly aimed at McIlroy, who was the emotional anchor of Team Europe.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
At one point during the hearing, Richards pleaded for a tissue and began crying while recalling a particularly abusive event in May.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abusive
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Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Growing up, Amy claims her father, Terry Jordan, was emotionally abusive towards her and her mother and as a result, Deanna was not able to fully commit herself to parenting.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
The Ryder Cup had already been under fire for its unapologetic and abusive crowd behavior, particularly aimed at McIlroy, who was the emotional anchor of Team Europe.
—Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
At one point during the hearing, Richards pleaded for a tissue and began crying while recalling a particularly abusive event in May.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez , Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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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