as in insulting
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abusive
The backstory flashbacks about an abusive father that suggest not all monsters have fangs?
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
With a narrative confined to the early years, the film focuses on Michael getting out from under the thumb of his controlling, abusive father in order to live his own life and make his own music.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
The result is that many people with civil claims are effectively unable to use the court system to help with such complaints as an abusive work environment, racial discrimination, environmental violations, police brutality or other issues handled by the federal courts.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Social media can be a valuable lifeline to some of the most vulnerable young people, like those in abusive situations or those who often feel isolated offline, such as LGBTQ+ teens.
—Jennifer Huddleston, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2026
With a narrative confined to the early years, the film focuses on Michael getting out from under the thumb of his controlling, abusive father in order to live his own life and make his own music.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
The result is that many people with civil claims are effectively unable to use the court system to help with such complaints as an abusive work environment, racial discrimination, environmental violations, police brutality or other issues handled by the federal courts.
—Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Social media can be a valuable lifeline to some of the most vulnerable young people, like those in abusive situations or those who often feel isolated offline, such as LGBTQ+ teens.
—Jennifer Huddleston, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusive
Adjective
-
For filmmakers who view their individual work as the center of gravity, this can sit somewhere between confusing and insulting.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Survivors rejected the offer, calling it insulting.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory and mischief unfolds.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The chicest outfits still complement the most outrageous of clichés.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For instance, the ruling recognized that the government’s need to protect national security might require it to prevent publication of the number and location of troops and that the primary requirements of decency might require censorship of obscene publications.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Bounds said this gives the mayor the power to intervene when a member of the public engages in obscene speech or in speech intended to incite others in the room.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
David smells an opportunity but completely misreads Hale, a vicious and vituperative man who delights in tormenting lesser writers.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
9 Feb. 2026
-
But, in private, Koren could be aggressive and vituperative—a competitive colleague who sought to destroy the reputations and careers of those who crossed him.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The 31-year-old man was charged Wednesday with malicious destruction of property and possessing substances to operate a meth lab.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Court records show that 31-year-old Xin Tong was charged with malicious destruction of a building over $20,000 and operating/maintaining a lab involving methamphetamine.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Bell is a big-bodied offensive weapon who doesn’t just look like a running back.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In terms of specific positions, Maugioa is the sixth Hurricanes offensive lineman to be selected in the first round, while Bain and Mesidor are the eighth and ninth UM defensive ends/edge rushers taken in the first round.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Tom Hanks played McCoy, Melanie Griffith played his mistress, and Bruce Willis played a scurrilous journalist in the center of it all.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Apr. 2026
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And in return for all that scurrilous effort, not a single banning.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To attend an Old Firm fixture, as the rivalry is known, is to understand the frenetic, vitriolic, passionate and sometimes poisonous world of football in Glasgow.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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When the San Francisco Chronicle axed its stand-alone books section, in 2001, the paper’s editors were overwhelmed by an ensuing crush of vitriolic mail.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusive. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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