abusive

The word “abusive” has 3 syllables: a-bu-sive.

It's pronounced as /əˈbjuːsɪv/.


What is synonym and antonym for abusive?

In the thesaurus, “abusive” has 11 synonyms and 9 antonyms.

Here are synonyms and antonyms for abusive along with examples of usage in sentences.


Synonyms for abusive

  • insulting
  • invective
  • malicious
  • obscene
  • offensive
  • opprobrious
  • outrageous
  • rude
  • scurrilous
  • vitriolic
  • vituperative

Antonyms for abusive

  • civil
  • courteous
  • deferential
  • kind
  • moderate
  • nice
  • polite
  • respectful
  • temperate

Meanings of abusive

  • adjective
    1. Prone to treat someone badly by coarse, insulting words or other maltreatment; vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous.
    2. Tending to deceive; fraudulent.
    3. Tending to misuse; practising or containing abuse.
    4. Being physically or emotionally injurious; characterized by repeated violence or other abuse.
    5. Wrongly used; perverted; misapplied; unjust; illegal.
    6. Catachrestic.

Example Sentences

  • She sought refuge in a shelter to escape her abusive partner's violent behavior.
  • The company implemented a zero-tolerance policy for abusive language in the workplace.
  • Therapists provide support and guidance to survivors of abusive relationships as they heal from emotional scars.
  • Social media platforms have been criticized for failing to address abusive behavior and harassment online.
  • It's important to educate young people about healthy relationship dynamics to prevent them from perpetuating abusive patterns in the future.

On this page you'll find 20 synonyms, antonyms, or another words to abusive, such as: civil, courteous, deferential, insulting, invective, kind, malicious.

Make sure to choose synonyms and antonyms that are appropriate for the context of the sentence.

Related Words

obnoxiousness

  • abusiveness
  • distastefulness
  • infamy
  • loathsomeness
  • offensiveness
  • repugnance
  • repulsiveness
  • unpleasantness

Word List