abusive
/ə'bju:siv/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment: "Abusive" describes actions, behaviors, or situations that involve cruel, violent, or harmful treatment, especially by someone in a position of power or trust.
- Expressing offensive reproach: "Abusive" also describes language that is insulting, harsh, and intended to hurt or degrade someone.
Usage
- The adjective "abusive" is used to modify nouns describing people, behavior, language, relationships, or systems.
- It often implies a pattern of behavior rather than a single, isolated incident.
- Common collocations include: , , , , .
Examples
- Describing harmful treatment:
- She left the abusive relationship to protect herself and her children.
- The investigation uncovered abusive practices within the institution.
- Describing insulting language:
- He was fired for using abusive language towards his colleagues.
- The politician's abusive remarks were widely condemned.
Advanced Usage
- "to be abusive towards someone": to treat someone in a cruel, violent, or insulting manner.
- The manager was accused of being abusive towards his staff.
- "emotionally/verbally/physically abusive": These phrases specify the type of harmful behavior.
- The documentary highlighted the long-term effects of verbally abusive parenting.
Variants and Related Words
- Abuse (n/v): The noun form refers to the cruel or violent treatment, or the insulting language itself. The verb means to treat cruelly or use insulting language.
- Child abuse is a serious crime. (n)
- He never abused his authority. (v)
- Abusively (adv): In a cruel or insulting manner.
- He spoke abusively to the customer service agent.
- Abuser (n): A person who treats someone cruelly or violently.
- The program aims to rehabilitate convicted abusers.
Synonyms
- Mistreating: Treating badly or cruelly.
- Insulting: Speaking to or treating with disrespect or scorn.
- Oppressive: Unjustly inflicting hardship and constraint.
- Vituperative: Bitter and abusive language.
Antonyms
- Respectful: Showing deference and esteem.
- Complimentary: Expressing praise or admiration.
- Kind: Having a friendly, generous, or considerate nature.
- Nurturing: Providing care and encouragement.
Related Phrases
- Abusive relationship: A relationship where one partner consistently mistreats the other.
- It took her years to recognize she was in an abusive relationship.
- Abuse of power: The improper use of authority for personal gain or to harm others.
- The scandal was a clear case of abuse of power.
Adjective
-
characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment
-
abusive punishment
-
argued...that foster homes are abusive
-
-
expressing offensive reproach
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