Meaning & use
abusive
Involving cruel, violent, or insulting treatment of another person.
See it in a sentence
She finally left the abusive relationship after years of quiet fear.
The referee ejected the fan for shouting abusive language at the players.
A note on using this word
Abusive can describe physical violence, verbal insults, or misuse of power, so context usually clarifies which kind is meant.
Words with a similar meaning
cruelinsulting
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
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