abusive
adj.adj. using cruel, violent, or insulting language or behavior toward someone. You use this to describe people or actions that cause harm or pain.
adj. characterised by improper, cruel, or violent treatment of others. Often used to describe patterns of behavior involving physical, emotional, or verbal harm within a relationship.
He was fired for using abusive language toward his coworkers.
The charity provides a safe house for people escaping abusive relationships and offers legal support.
Psychologists distinguish between physically abusive behavior and more subtle forms of emotional manipulation that can be equally damaging to a person's long-term mental health.
First attested in the 1530s. From French abusif, from Latin abūsīvus, from abusus + -ivus (“-ive”). Equivalent to abuse + -ive.
Typically modifies nouns related to behavior, language, or relationships.
He is very abuseHe is very abusiveLearners often use the noun or verb 'abuse' when they need the adjective form 'abusive' to describe a person's character.