ABUSIVE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does abusive mean? 

• ABUSIVE (adjective)
  The adjective ABUSIVE has 2 senses:

1. expressing offensive reproach

2. characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment

  Familiarity information: ABUSIVE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ABUSIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Expressing offensive reproach

Synonyms:

abusive; opprobrious; scurrilous

Similar:

offensive (causing anger or annoyance)

Derivation:

abuse (use foul or abusive language towards)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment

Context example:

argued...that foster homes are abusive

Similar:

harmful (causing or capable of causing harm)

Derivation:

abuse (treat badly)

 Context examples 

One may be continually abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot always be laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

"Look here, sir," said I, backing to the door and opening it; "you can be as abusive as you like. But there is a limit. You shall not assault me."

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She came to Mr. Doran’s door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

After some rubbing of the lower part of his face, and some looking at us with those bad eyes, over his grisly fingers, he made one more address to me, half whining, and half abusive.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all intercourse was at an end.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)