abusive

Definition

Prone to treat someone badly by coarse, insulting words or other maltreatment; vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous.

Etymology

First attested in the 1530s. From French abusif, from Latin abūsīvus, from abusus + -ivus (“-ive”). Equivalent to abuse + -ive.

Example Sentences

• "All they could ever do was to shout abusive inanities at me and my colleagues."
• "an abusive treaty"
• "[…] to begin in this vacation the foundation of a trifling subject which might shroud in his leaves the abusive enormities of these our times."