abusive
Americanadjective
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using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language.
an abusive author; abusive remarks.
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treating badly or injuriously; mistreating, especially physically.
his abusive handling of the horse.
-
wrongly used; corrupt.
an abusive exercise of power.
adjective
-
characterized by insulting or coarse language
-
characterized by maltreatment
-
incorrectly used; corrupt
Usage
What does abusive mean? Warning: This article involves discussion of the sensitive topics of physical and emotional abuse. If you or someone you know needs support, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline site to chat or call the hotline at 1-800-799-7233. Abusive is an adjective used to describe a person who abuses a person or an animal—mistreats and causes harm to them. It can also be used to describe such a person’s actions.The noun abuse refers to such mistreatment. A person who abuses someone can be called an abuser.The kind of abuse is sometimes specified before the word abusive, as in physically abusive and emotionally abuse.Example: Just because it’s not physical doesn’t mean it’s not abusive—emotional abuse can leave its own scars.
Other Word Forms
- abusively adverb
- abusiveness noun
- nonabusive adjective
- nonabusively adverb
- nonabusiveness noun
- overabusive adjective
- overabusively adverb
- overabusiveness noun
- unabusive adjective
- unabusively adverb
- unabusiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of abusive
From the Late Latin word abūsīvus, dating back to 1575–85. See abuse, -ive
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By authorizing the content and direction of the documentary, Jackson takes care to preserve and even somewhat redeem Joseph’s legacy, one that other documentaries, specials and fictionalized versions of Michael’s life have characterized as abusive.
From Salon
“No,” I say, “but him wanting me to be a part of it isn’t abusive. Him asking for my help isn’t abusive. That’s not what abuse is.”
From Literature
Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said police had made 12 arrests, "including for showing support for a proscribed organisation, affray and for threatening or abusive behaviour".
From Barron's
Ben's mother, Nicola, said she was neither emotionally or physically abusive to Ben.
From BBC
She clarifies that she means “annoying” men rather than abusive men.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
