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Meaning & use

abusive

adjective·Everydaydisapproving

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UK/əˈbjuːsɪv/
US/əˈbjuːsɪv/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a noundisapproving

    Involving cruel or violent treatment of another person, especially repeatedly within a relationship.

    Grammar: Usually before a noun (an abusive relationship) or after a linking verb (he was abusive); not normally graded with more/most.

    Patterns

    • an abusive relationship
    • an abusive parent
    • be abusive toward someone

    She finally left the abusive relationship after ten years.

    The report described an abusive environment in the children's home.

    He was abusive toward his staff and was later dismissed.

  2. adjectivebefore a noundisapproving

    Using rude, insulting language toward someone.

    Grammar: Before nouns like language, message, or email; after linking verbs: 'the crowd became abusive.'

    Patterns

    • abusive language
    • an abusive email
    • become abusive

    The company fired him for sending abusive messages to a coworker.

    The comment section was full of abusive language, so she closed it.

    When the team lost, some fans became abusive toward the players.

Common combinations

abusive relationship
Friends helped her recognize that she was in an abusive relationship.
abusive language
The site bans users for abusive language.
become abusive
He becomes abusive when he has been drinking.
physically or verbally abusive
The supervisor was verbally abusive but never physical.

Synonyms and how they differ

insulting
Insulting fits only the verbal sense; abusive covers both cruel violence and insults.
cruel
Cruel is broader and describes a person's nature; abusive specifically describes harmful treatment of others.
maltreating
Maltreating stresses active mistreatment and is less common as an adjective; abusive is the normal adjective.

Opposites

kindcaringrespectful

Word family

abuse noun
cruel treatment or misuse
abuse verb
to treat cruelly or misuse
abuser noun
person who commits abuse
abusively adverb
in a cruel or insulting manner

Commonly confused: abusive or obscene?

abusive vs obscene

Obscene means offensive in a sexual or vulgar way; abusive means attacking or harming a person, and need not be sexual.

Practice

Choose the best word: After the referee's decision, several players turned ______ and had to be sent off.

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