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abusively

abusively

2 6.3
In a cruel way that often uses hurtful words or actions
  • adverb
  • /əˈbjuːsɪvli/
  • NSFW
translation icon : abusivamente
  • I don't have a position on the project itself, but it is clear that the manufacturer acted abusively.
  • treated abusively
  • acted abusively

There is no place for loyalty with someone who behaves cruelly or manipulatively or abusively or dismissively or coercively.

Examples

  • Hagan reportedly said he had never been treated so abusively in his role as Master Chief Petty Officer.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Politely asking people to stop behaving abusively towards you rarely works.

    Blog text (11)
  • This means not speaking abusively to people.

    Blog text (13)
  • Yes, even if you feel they have spoken abusively to you.

    Blog text (13)
  • Despite recent positive political changes, Burma has been tightly and abusively controlled for years, and the people face enormous challenges.

    Blog text (24)
  • He spoke abusively to his two doctors, made it clear that he despised his wife, voiced suspicions about his son's ability to continue the business, and ordered Berta around as if she were his slave.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Allred's opinion may formally have no precedential value for other trials, but it is a public rebuke to the Pentagon political appointees who have abusively mishandled these tribunals since their inception.

    Blog text (19)
  • Politely asking people to stop behaving abusively towards you rarely works.

  • Hagan reportedly said he had never been treated so abusively in his role as Master Chief Petty Officer.

  • Sloan said the congressman did not sexually harass her but acted inappropriately and abusively.

Synonyms

brutally
vsabusively
  • Offensive
142 6.1

In a cruel or very harsh way that causes harm

also covers strong insulting language rather than only physical harm
harshly
vsabusively
49 3.5

In a severe or unkind way that feels unpleasant

is similar but may be stronger, involving violent or insulting acts
viciously
vsabusively
34 5.7

In a cruel and violent way

can include violent acts but also covers harsh insulting words
offensively
vsabusively
  • Offensive
4 4.0

In a way that tries to attack or gain advantage over others

also includes harsher cruelty or physical violence beyond offence
unkindly
vsabusively
4 4.4

To act in a harsh or mean way that hurts others

is stronger and often includes deliberate violent or insulting acts
insultingly
vsabusively
  • Offensive
2 5.9

In a rude way that tries to hurt someone's feelings

adds the possibility of physical cruelty as well as insults
nastily
vsabusively
2 5.1

In an unpleasant, angry, or mean way

is harsher and more likely to include violent or abusive intent
meanly
vsabusively
1 7.0

In a cruel way that shows unkind feelings and hurts others

is often more intense and may include physical harm or insults
hurtfully
vsabusively
1 4.1

In a way that makes someone feel sad or in pain

is harsher and can include physical violence as well as pain
cattily
vsabusively
1 8.9

Says things in a mean, slightly cruel way to hurt someone

is more openly violent or harsh rather than subtle meanness
scurrilously
vsabusively
  • Offensive
9.9

In a way that says very bad and untrue things about someone

is cruel or violent but not necessarily obscene or slanderous
vituperatively
vsabusively
  • Offensive
9.9

To criticise someone using very harsh, insulting words

covers both harsh words and also violent behavior
bestially
vsabusively
  • NSFW
9.1

In a violent, cruel way like a wild animal

is cruel too but can be spoken insults rather than animal savagery
acrimoniously
vsabusively
8.1

In a bitter, angry way during a disagreement

is more openly cruel or violent rather than only bitter tone
abrasively
vsabusively
6.5

In a harsh, rude way that upsets people when speaking or acting

is more directly cruel or meant to hurt seriously
meanspiritedly
vsabusively
  • Offensive
8.5

In a mean way that tries to hurt someone

is broader and can include stronger cruelty or violent acts
bitchily
vsabusively
  • Offensive
9.9

In a mean, unkind way that aims to hurt someone

can be cruel too but also includes nonverbal violent behaviour

Antonyms

179 1.0

In a gentle and caring way

1 3.3

In a way that helps and encourages someone

How Abusively

violently
107 3.5
abusively
  • NSFW
2 6.3
harshly
49 3.5
insultingly
  • Offensive
2 5.9

Surface Forms

abusively positive

Morphology

abusively = abusive (transparent) = abuse + ive + ly

The adjective 'abusive' is a straightforward derivation from 'abuse' with the productive suffix '-ive', so the base is easily recognizable to learners.

Etymology

Abusively comes from ab- 'away' plus the word use, so it originally meant to 'use wrongly' or 'take advantage of' someone. So to act abusively is to treat someone cruelly or with 'hurtful words'.