What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vituperous
Example
The vituperous coach berated his players for their poor performance. [vituperous: adjective]
Example
Her vituperous comments were hurtful and unnecessary. [vituperous: adjective]
abusive
Example
He was arrested for physically abusing his partner. [abusing: verb]
Example
She suffered from years of emotional abuse from her parents. [abuse: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abusive is more commonly used than vituperous in everyday language. Abusive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while vituperous is less common and refers to a specific type of verbal abuse.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vituperous and abusive?
Vituperous is a more formal word than abusive, which is more commonly used in everyday language. However, both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation and tone of the conversation.
