abusive

Word parts

abuse + -ive

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /əˈbjuː.sɪv/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /əˈbju.sɪv/ or /əˈbju.zɪv/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: abu‧sive

Adjective

Positive abusive

Comparative more abusive

Superlative most abusive

1. If someone is abusive, he is violent and abuses (takes advantage of) others.

   My father was abusive to us children. He always hit us when he was angry.

Related words

• abuse
• abused
• abusing
• abusively