abusive

adjective

ə-ˈbyü-siv How to pronounce abusive (audio)
Definition of abusivenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of abusive Cyberbullying, and other abusive behavior existed then and remain today, despite efforts by companies to police user behavior. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Jordan called for domestic violence groups and immigrant advocates to work more closely together when supporting survivors whose immigration status may complicate their efforts to leave abusive situations. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 At the Texas and Connecticut trials, victims’ relatives testified that Jones’ followers — believing his claims that the shooting didn’t happen — subjected them to death and rape threats, in-person harassment and abusive comments on social media. — Jim Vertuno, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 In 2026, a seemingly never-ending wave of layoffs and studio closures has made jobs so scarce that workers may feel more pressure to tolerate abusive conditions. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
  1. insulting
  2. outrageous
  3. obscene
  4. vituperative
  5. malicious
  6. offensive
  7. scurrilous
  8. vitriolic
Adjective
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The outfits are increasingly outrageous, including a number featuring knee-high pink leather boots paired with same colored short shorts and a leather bra and long lime green hair.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Adjective
  • The Tarrant County decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Starks said the obscene gesture was meant as a joke to teammates.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • In Maine, Graham Platner — who, like Avila Chevalier, had a vituperative social media history — easily defeated the state’s governor, Janet Mills, for the Senate nomination.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Definition of vituperative
Adjective
  • That leaves a short window during which malicious activity can contaminate the prediction machinery again.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • An attacker can then register the site and plant malicious instructions on it.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of malicious
Adjective
  • The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The impact of new UNC offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino was felt immediately.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of offensive
Adjective
  • Tom Hanks played McCoy, Melanie Griffith played his mistress, and Bruce Willis played a scurrilous journalist in the center of it all.
    — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026
  • And in return for all that scurrilous effort, not a single banning.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of scurrilous
Adjective
  • The comments under Miller’s social media posts grew startlingly vitriolic.
    — Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Steve, some of the most vitriolic and toxic letters have come from you.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026
Definition of vitriolic

Browse Nearby Words

abusing
abusive
abusively
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Cite this Entry

“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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