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abusive
[ uh-byoo-siv ]
adjective
- using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language:
an abusive author; abusive remarks.
- treating badly or injuriously; mistreating, especially physically:
his abusive handling of the horse.
- wrongly used; corrupt:
an abusive exercise of power.
abusive
/ əˈbjuːsɪv /
adjective
- characterized by insulting or coarse language
- characterized by maltreatment
- incorrectly used; corrupt
Derived Forms
- aˈbusively, adverb
- aˈbusiveness, noun
Other Words From
- a·busive·ly adverb
- a·busive·ness noun
- nona·busive adjective
- nona·busive·ly adverb
- nona·busive·ness noun
- over·a·busive adjective
- over·a·busive·ly adverb
- over·a·busive·ness noun
- una·busive adjective
- una·busive·ly adverb
- una·busive·ness noun
Word History and Origins
Example Sentences
Since Panorama’s initial investigation, the school and gym have shut down, and three former school employees have been charged with offences including assault and abusive behaviour.
Billy Coull, 36, was found guilty of abusive behaviour after repeatedly sending the messages referring to himself as a “wolf” and the woman as his “prey”.
There's only one thing worse than an abusive boss -- and that's a boss who thinks they can make up for their bad behavior by turning on the charm the following day.
A review commissioned by Swim England found that a toxic environment in swimming clubs had enabled abusive training practices and bullying to exist for years.
The judge said the "vile, threatening and abusive" harassment of a former partner in 2022 on its own merited a custodial sentence.
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About This Word
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.
Where does abusive come from?
The first records of the word abusive come from the 1500s. It’s an adjective form of abuse, which comes from the Latin abūsus, from the Latin verb abūtī, meaning “to misuse.” The prefix ab- means “outside of” or “opposite to.”
When someone is labeled as abusive, it often means they have repeatedly abused someone. We often think of abuse as a repeated behavior, and it often is, but even a single instance of mistreatment qualifies as abuse. Unfortunately, people can be abusive in many ways, and those forms are often specified along with the word. An abusive relationship is one in which one or both of the partners abuses the other.
While the word abuse can be applied to less serious situations (like to refer to the misuse or overuse of objects), abusive almost always refers to the mistreatment of people or animals.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to abusive?
- abuse (verb, noun)
- abusively (adverb)
- abusiveness (noun)
- non-abusive (noun)
What are some words that share a root or word element with abusive?
What are some words that often get used in discussing abusive?
How is abusive used in real life?
Abusive is always used negatively to describe an abuser or their actions.
If you are going to be a parent or are one, please, please resolve your issues through therapy. Your kids are ANXIOUS. The amount of stories about abusive parents, in my inbox are evidence of this. Stop projecting on your children, they are adult with ISSUES. I'm begging you.
— Harriet Thee Thugman (@Wicked_Womanist) May 18, 2020
.@ThandieNewton tells @Vulture that she has a “little black book,” containing all of the racist and sexually abusive behavior she has witnessed throughout her career:
"I’ve got my little black book, which will be published on my deathbed."
🔗: https://t.co/Za50M6G94r pic.twitter.com/v2ZRe5DU20
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 8, 2020
A break up/divorce is better than an abusive (physical, emotional etc) relationship / marriage.
PASS IT ON 👏
— Chief Servant ⚜️ (@_SelormAdzimah) May 19, 2020
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