Psychological Abusers are characters who inflict emotional and psychological torment on their victims. They can be Mind-Breakers but do not have to focus on actually breaking someone's state of mental health; instead, many of them rely on emotional and spiritual abuse for the sake of tormenting them or even as something as petty as making them feel bad about themselves. Common examples are antagonists who try and convince someone they are worthless, ugly, unwanted, etc. This also applies to those who try to inflict prolonged periods of distress, fear and general despair in another person (e.g. Gil Yepes, Diane Simmons, Lady Tremaine, Chris Hargensen, White Diamond).

These villains can also be manipulative as well as cruel, and use a form of psychological manipulation called Gaslighting, which is where they trick their victim's feelings in order to manipulate them, both mentally and emotionally. This can be the case with villains whose victims are essential to their plans and/or are unwilling to let go of easily, or at all (e.g. James Hook (2003), Mother Gothel, Kai Chisaki, Zhan Tiri, Emperor Belos, Scar (The Lion King), Bill Cipher, Setsuna Sumeragi and Shadow Weaver (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power)).

Due to the nature of psychological abuse it is considered by many as a special "breed" of evil since it either focuses on attacking those who are deemed vulnerable or trying to devalue another person's confidence and well-being (core principles of what many consider basic human rights).

Ironically, even though this category is technically the opposite of kindness, these villains can still be Affably Evil because they might have limits on their cruelty, being affable sometimes and abusive at other times. (e.g. Mr. Donatti, Death (Puss in Boots), Sideshow Bob, Plankton, Hannibal Lecter, Beavis and Butt-Head, Jimmy Hopkins, Rick Sanchez, Anastasia Tremaine, Beast (Disney), and The Collector (The Owl House)).

IMPORTANT NOTES: This category is for Villains who tend to lean towards emotional and/or psychological abuse instead of physical violence. They do not always seek to drive their victims insane (as Mind-Breakers do) but they can sometimes become Mind-Breakers due to their actions. Many Psychological Abusers use words over violence but some will resort to it (even becoming Homicidal Murderers) if their initial cruelty fails. Furthermore, those who use this tactic often do so on top of physical violence in order to break their victim's body and mind.