abusive Definition
- 1involving or characterized by physical, verbal, or emotional mistreatment or harm to others
- 2using or involving harmful language or behavior towards someone
Using abusive: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "abusive" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was abusive towards his wife and children.
Example
The coach was fired for being verbally abusive to his players.
Example
She left the relationship because of his abusive behavior.
Example
The comments he made were abusive and hurtful.
abusive Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for abusive
Phrases with abusive
Example
She was in a verbally abusive relationship for years before she finally left.
using emotions to harm or control someone
Example
Her boss was emotionally abusive, constantly belittling her and making her feel inadequate.
using physical force to harm or control someone
Example
He was arrested for physically abusive behavior towards his partner.
Origins of abusive
from Latin 'abusivus', from 'abuti' meaning 'misuse'
Summary: abusive in Brief
The term 'abusive' [əˈbjuːsɪv] refers to behavior that is harmful, insulting, or offensive towards others. It can be physical, verbal, or emotional, as in 'He was abusive towards his wife and children.' Phrases like 'verbally abusive' and 'emotionally abusive' specify the type of abuse. 'Abusive' has formal synonyms like 'harmful' and 'insulting,' and informal synonyms like 'mean' and 'nasty.'
