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abusive

abu·sive [ ə-ˈbyü-siv]

abusive

adjective

Definition of abusive

1a : 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
especially : corrupt
//abusive financial practices

Other Words from abusive

abusively adverb

abusiveness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Synonyms

Recent Examples on the Web

//Nate Balis, an expert on juvenile detention and director of the Juvenile Justice Strategy Group with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, said putting youth in jail-like settings can result in abusive situations, and bad recidivism rates.
— Emily Hoerner, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago’s public defender plans to ask Illinois Supreme Court to reverse decision that permits holding preteens in custody, despite county ordinance," 8 Nov. 2019
//The abusive ex eventually begins attacking employees at the psychiatric hospital to get to Cecilia, who does everything in her power to fight him off.
— Katherine Schaffstall, The Hollywood Reporter, "Elisabeth Moss Fights Off Abusive Ex in 'The Invisible Man' Trailer," 7 Nov. 2019
//Gilliam rescued Sweets and another mini named Cuzzi in February after they were seized last year from an abusive situation in Texas.
— Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "Meet ‘Sweets’ — the BART-riding miniature horse," 6 Nov. 2019
//Officer Quimby attempted to place the Hispanic female in custody for disorderly conduct-abusive language and the Hispanic female resisted arrest.
— Houston Chronicle, "Bellaire Police Department weekly report," 4 Nov. 2019
//Katie Hill — young, female, bisexual, liberal, polyamorous, powerful — made abusive men fear that their dominance was coming to an end.
— Mary Anne Franks, Twin Cities, "Mary Anne Franks: The photos of Rep. Hill had nothing to do with her conduct," 31 Oct. 2019
//Untrammeled private power might not seem the biggest threat when public power takes such abusive form.
— Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, "Jeff Bezos’s Master Plan," 10 Oct. 2019
//In China abusive marriages are common, and hard to escape (see article).
— The Economist, "The struggle of Asian women not to be abused," 10 Oct. 2019
//Many of the women who come to her seeking shelter and maternity care are fleeing abusive homes.
— Tatyana Ali, Essence, "‘Birthright’: Tatyana Ali’s Heartfelt Essay On The Importance and Beauty Of A Black Woman’s Pregnancy Journey," 2 Oct. 2019

First Known Use of abusive

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for abusive

borrowed from Anglo-French abusif "misplaced, wrong, in error," borrowed from Late Latin abūsīvus "misused, catachrestic," from Latin abūsus, past participle of abūtī "to abuse entry 2" + -īvus -ive

Dictionary Entries near abusive

abusus non tollit usum

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofabusive

Synonyms & Antonyms of abusive

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 for abusive

Words Related to abusive

Near Antonyms for abusive

More Definitions forabusive

abusive

adjective

abu·sive | \ ə-ˈbyü-siv , -ziv\

Kids Definition of abusive

1 : using or involving harmful treatment

2 : using harsh insulting language
//abusive comments

abusive

adjective

abu·sive | \ ə-ˈbyü-siv, -ziv \

Legal Definition of abusive

1 : characterized by wrong or improper use or action
//abusive tax shelters

2 : inflicting verbal or physical abuse
//abusive parents