abusive

The word “abusive” means behaving in a cruel, violent, or insulting way toward someone. In plain terms, cruel, violent, or insulting in behavior — or, less commonly, describing wrongful misuse of something.

“Abusive” is pronounced uh-BYOO-sihv (/əˈbju.sɪv/ in IPA).

Here is “abusive” used in a sentence: “He became abusive whenever he drank too much.”

The opposite of “abusive” — its antonyms — are abuseless, nonabusive and unabusive.

“Abusive” is an adjective.

The word “abusive” comes from Latin. From French abusif, ultimately from Latin abusivus, related to abuse.

“Abusive” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Abusive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: behaving in a cruel, violent, or insulting way toward someone.

"Abusive" describes cruel, violent, or insulting treatment that harms someone, while "aggressive" describes forceful, pushy, or hostile behaviour that is not always harmful. A person can be aggressive without being abusive, but abusive behaviour is a more serious mistreatment.

"Abusive" refers to cruel or insulting treatment directed at a person, while "offensive" means causing hurt feelings or disgust more generally. Language can be offensive without targeting anyone, but abusive language is aimed at demeaning or hurting a specific person.

"Abusive" often pairs with words like "language," "behaviour," "relationship," "partner," and "email." It can also describe misuse, as in "abusive practices" or "abusive schemes."

Yes. Besides cruel or insulting behaviour, "abusive" can mean involving misuse, such as wrongful or illegal use, as in "abusive business practices." In this sense it points to the improper use of power, systems, or rules.