Abusive

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /əˈbjuː.sɪv/
• US IPA: /əˈbju.sɪv/, /əˈbju.zɪv/

Origin

First attested in the 1530's. From French abusif, from Latin abūsīvus,

RHCD|page=6

from abusus + -ivus ("-ive").

MW3 1976|page=8

Equivalent to abuse + -ive.

Full definition of abusive

Adjective

1. Wrongly used; perverted; misapplied; unjust; illegal. First attested in the mid 16^th century.

• I am ... necessitated to use the word Parliament improperly, according to the abusive acceptation thereof. - Fuller
1. (archaic) Catachrestic. First attested in the mid 16^th century.
2. (archaic) Full of abuses; practicing abuse; containing abuse, or serving as the instrument of abuse. First attested in the late 16^th century.
• 1589, Thomas Nashe, The Anatomy of Absurdity, ...to begin in this vacation the foundation of a trifling subject which might shroud in his leaves the abusive enormities of these our times.
3. Prone to ill treat by coarse, insulting words or by other ill usage; vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous. First attested in the early 17^th century.
• An abusive lampoon. - Samuel Johnson A dictionary of the English language
4. (obsolete) Tending to deceive; fraudulent. Attested only from the early to mid 17^th century.
• An abusive treaty. - Francis Bacon
5. (archaic) Given to misusing; also, full of abuses.
• The abusive prerogatives of his see. - Henry Hallam
6. (obsolete) Given to misusing. Attested only in the mid 17^th century.
7. Being physically injurious; characterized by repeated violence.

Synonyms

• reproachful, scurrilous, opprobrious, insolent, insulting, injurious, offensive, reviling, berating, vituperative

Derived terms

• abusively
• abusiveness