So it was an innocuous message delivered in an abusive manner.

I was astonished and disgusted at the abusive manner in which they were written, the freedom of the press being enjoyed to an extent in this province unknown in more civilised communities.

There is a clear distinction between lightly smacking a child to warn them against doing something again and beating them in an abusive manner.

Turek continued to speak to Atwater in a verbally abusive manner, accusing her of not caring for her children.

I don't think there is a single incident in which we've acted in an abusive manner.

But others are not so clear: Driving in "an abusive or reckless manner" invalidates the Budget Rent-a-Car waiver, as does driving on anything but a "regularly maintained road."

Channel 4 argued that the word was intended "as irreverent mockery rather than in an abusive or aggressive manner," in spite of its being the final blow in Ryan's beating.

Exploitation, the using something or someone in an unjust, cruel or abusive manner.

Soubi's friend Kio bitterly resents Seimei for the apparently abusive manner in which he treated Soubi, but Soubi refuses to back up Kio's accusations.

Usually, the tables are turned and they are made to follow the rules (i.e. serve the women food in a different manner than their abusive manner).