Synonyms of 'abusive'
1 (adjective)
a cruel and abusive partner
Synonyms
violent
, He was a violent man with a drink and drugs problem.
wild
, When drunk, he became wild and violent.
rough
, I was a bit rough with you this morning.
cruel
, They should spend a long time in jail to reflect on their cruel acts.
the persecution of prisoners by cruel officers
savage
, This was a savage attack on a defenceless young girl.
brutal
, He was the victim of a very brutal murder.
vicious
, He suffered a vicious attack by a gang of youths.
destructive
, the awesome destructive power of nuclear weapons
harmful
, the harmful effects of smoking
maddened
, hurtful
, , Her comments were very hurtful to Mrs Green's family.
impetuous
, , He tended to act in a heated and impetuous way.
intemperate
, , the unwisely intemperate language of the party leader
furious
, A furious gunbattle ensued.
injurious
, Stress in itself is not necessarily injurious.
Opposites
2 (adjective)
rude or insulting
He was alleged to have used abusive language.Synonyms
insulting
, One of the workers made an insulting remark to a supervisor.
offensive
, offensive remarks about minority groups
rude
, , , He's rude to her friends.
maligning
, , affronting
, contemptuous
, She gave a contemptuous little laugh and walked away.
disparaging
, He was alleged to have made disparaging remarks.
castigating
, reviling
, vilifying
, , scurrilous
, scurrilous rumours
defamatory
, The article was highly defamatory.
insolent
, , , , They can be insolent and difficult to get along with.
libellous
, She claimed the articles were libellous and damaging.
upbraiding
, vituperative
, one of journalism's most vituperative critics
reproachful
, She gave her a reproachful look.
slanderous
, He wanted an explanation for what he described as `slanderous' remarks.
traducing
, , calumniating
, Opposites
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Additional synonyms
in the sense of brutal
cruel
He was the victim of a very brutal murder.
Synonyms
in the sense of contemptuous
showing or feeling strong dislike or disrespect
She gave a contemptuous little laugh and walked away.
Synonyms
sneering,
on your high horse (informal),
Video: pronunciation of 'abusive'
Nearby words of 'abusive'
Source
Thesaurus for abusive from the
Collins English Thesaurus