abusive language
/əˈbjuːsɪv ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/ · a·bus·ive lan·guage
noun
- Speech or written words that are insulting, offensive, or intended to demean another person. The teacher warned the students that abusive language would not be tolerated in the classroom.
- A category of prohibited speech in legal or institutional policies, often encompassing hate speech, slurs, and profanity. The company's code of conduct lists abusive language as a violation that can lead to disciplinary action.
Synonyms
insulting languageoffensive speechprofane languagederogatory remarksverbal abusehate speechslurobscene language
Antonyms
Did you know? The phrase "abusive language" gained legal prominence in the United Kingdom after the 1998 Human Rights Act, which required public bodies to balance freedom of expression against protection from harmful speech.