abusive

adj.

1. Characterized by improper or wrongful use: abusive utilization of public funds.
2. Using or containing insulting or coarse language: finally reprimanded the abusive colleague.
3. Causing physical injury to another: abusive punishment.
4. Relating to or practicing sexual abuse.

abusively a·bu'sive·ly adv.
abusiveness a·bu'sive·ness n.

adjective

Of, relating to, or characterized by verbal abuse: contumelious, invective, opprobrious, scurrilous, vituperative. See attack/defend, attitude/good attitude/bad attitude/neutral attitude.

adj

Definition: unkind in behavior or words
Antonyms: complimentary, kind, respectful

---

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

Tending to deceive; practicing abuse; prone to ill-treat by coarse, insulting words or harmful acts. Using ill treatment; injurious, improper, hurtful, offensive, re- proachful.

Using abusive language, even though offensive, is not criminal unless it amounts to fighting words that, by their very utterance, tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace.

IN BRIEF: Acting harshly or violently.

The kennel owner was fined for his abusive behavior toward dogs.

Dansk (Danish)
adj. - korrupt, lyssky, grov

Nederlands (Dutch)
beledigend, gewelddadig, mishandelend

Français (French)
adj. - offensant, injurieux, grossier, abusif, mauvais

Deutsch (German)
adj. - mißbräuchlich, beleidigend, verkehrt

Ελληνική (Greek)
adj. - υβριστικός, προσβλητικός, καταχρηστικός, παράνομος, έκνομος

Italiano (Italian)
abusivo

Português (Portuguese)
adj. - abusivo

Русский (Russian)
оскорбительный, бранный, проявляющий плохое отношение

Español (Spanish)
adj. - abusivo, ofensivo, injurioso, ultrajoso

Svenska (Swedish)
adj. - ovettig, grov

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
滥用的, 辱骂的, 陋习的

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 濫用的, 辱罵的, 陋習的

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 입버릇 사나운, 남용하는

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 口汚い, 腐敗した

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(صفه) إعتسافي, فاسد, بذيء, مؤذ جسديا‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮מגדף, גס, פוגע‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.