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View synonyms for

abusive

[ uh-byoo-siv ]

adjective

  1. using, containing, or characterized by harshly or coarsely insulting language:

    an abusive author; abusive remarks.

  2. treating badly or injuriously; mistreating, especially physically:

    his abusive handling of the horse.

  3. wrongly used; corrupt:

    an abusive exercise of power.



abusive

/ əˈːɪ /

adjective

  1. characterized by insulting or coarse language
  2. characterized by maltreatment
  3. incorrectly used; corrupt
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈܲ, adverb
  • ˈܲԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·s· adverb
  • ·s·Ա noun
  • ԴDza·s adjective
  • non·s· adverb
  • non·s·Ա noun
  • v··s adjective
  • over··s· adverb
  • over··s·Ա noun
  • ܲa·s adjective
  • un·s· adverb
  • un·s·Ա noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abusive1

From the Late Latin word ūīܲ, dating back to 1575–85. See abuse, -ive
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There was particular concern for victims of domestic and economic abuse who need cash to avoid being traced through card transactions or to gain financial independence from abusive partners.

From

"It shouldn't cost people to flee domestic abuse," says Gemma, who has moved house three times in an attempt to escape an abusive relationship.

From

The medic said she was speaking out as she wanted to issue a warning to others - that it was not only "uneducated" and "less fortunate" women who find themselves in abusive relationships.

From

They are also designed to protect children from misogynistic, violent, hateful or abusive material, online bullying and dangerous challenges.

From

The hosts tell men that women will flock to them if they're hateful and abusive.

From

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Related Words

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About This Word

doesabusive 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 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 doesabusive 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 ūܲ, from the Latin verb ūī, 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 ... ?

are some other forms related to abusive?

  • abuse (verb, noun)
  • abusively (adverb)
  • abusiveness (noun)
  • non-abusive (noun)

are some words that share a root or word element with abusive?

are some words that often get used in discussing abusive?

How isabusiveused in real life?

Abusive is always used negatively to describe an abuser or their actions.

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