This is subjective. The worst is the kind you are receiving.

Abuse is abuse. What doesn't matter is the method of delivery. Trauma will always be the result.

Most of the time abuse come in all three types at once, emotional is the worst though.

Sticks and stones to break my bones but words will never hurt me - is so wrong...

For me emotional abuse would be the worst.

Vernal abuse and physical abuse are just different variations of emotional abuse. You don't physically hurt someone if you aren't trying to also hurt them emotionally. The emotional aspect of the abuse is most damaging, I believe, and the most difficult to overcome. But physical abuse is emotional abuse and so those who have been physically abused have both physical and emotional healing to do.

Physical abuse can and does kill. This is Domestic Violence awareness month. Here we set out silhouettes showing those women, men and children killed in Domestic Violence. I will try and make a post with pictures.

They're all bad, having been on the receiving end I wouldn't choose any one of them

All three are just as bad...especially when you are subjected to all three simultaneously...throw in sexual abuse and you have a view of what some childhoods were like. Self esteem is a very hard fought battle.

All 3 can lead to death or prolonged suffering. If I had to choose 1 of the 3, I would have to go with physical. Physical abuse directly causes psychological damage as well as physical. The other 2 sometimes indirectly cause physical damage. That said, I’d prefer not to put one form of abuse over the others. I’ve experienced all 3 forms, and in my case, the physical caused the least damage. This is definitely a case by case kind of question.

If you do not get married, just live together you can leave at any time. No reason to take any abuse. The only thing worse than abuse, is a pathetic person who is so weak ("but...but...I love him..." ) that they put up with it.

Sexual Abuse can be pretty bad too.

Verbal abuse doesn't have to end with screaming, physical abuse doesn't have to end with murder. Emotional abuse doesn't have an end. I don't know of a scenario wherein I will ever stop feeling what my ex wife put me through. Finding my dream love, a billion dollars, curing cancer, and solving world hunger wouldn't completely make me stop resenting myself. I didn't do anything to her physically, emotionally, or verbally... But she sure felt the need for me to feel all three.

Each recipient is going to act and react differently. Physical might be easy for someone and impossible for someone else, etc. It depends on who the recipient is, and the abuse that is given.

All are inexcusable and wrong. They are all damaging. They say more about the abuser.

They r all terrible

Physical abuse is the worse, it is what all forms of abuse lead up to if not checked. Emotional abuse and verbal abuse are just preliminary.

Emotional abuse if worse because it takes longer to heal from. This type of abuse can last years and shape people’s future. In my opinion it’s also by far harder to leave a emotionally abusive relationship

Emotional/psychological abuse is often the most painful and difficult to get over. And the abuse can be inflicted verbally, non-verbally (through policies and procedures like discrimination or shunning), as well as physically. It's possible for someone to be abused physically and not really be aware that they are being abused. But if they are abused emotionally they definitely know it.

Depends on intensity.
Point is that huge physical abuse is visible and easy to prove, so it is easy to stop.
Emotional abuse can easily be hidden and difficult to prove, so difficult to stop, thus can be a lot more aggressive than the physical.
Any way I think physical is worse because it can instantly activate survival reactions that changes everything instantly.
Emotional abuse in general takes time to become severe, physical can be instantaneous.

All

I would contend that verbal abuse is a form of emotional abuse, so we're really left with two options, right?

Which one is worse? Emotional abuse can leave scars that last a lifetime, ruin your ability to have healthy relationships, destroy a person's self- image, and could lead to self-harm or even suicide. It's a shitty thing. You've got to pull yourself out of it as best you can, and with time and perspective the lessons learned from the pain will make you a better, stronger person, if you can make it through to the other side. What do they say, "if you're going through Hell... keep going..."?

On the other hand, someone could bash you in the head with something and kill you.

I vote physical abuse.

I guess it depends on a case by case basis. Some people can take one or the other or both and kind of be more immune to it then others.

I voted for physical abuse.

Emotional abuse can certainly have long-term negative effects, sometimes worse than physical abuse, but it depends on the individual. Verbal abuse can be emotional abuse, also depending on the individual.

I chose physical abuse with the thought that what is worse may depend on our age, and since most of us are adults longer than we are children, as adults physical abuse is the worst. It is a violation of our political rights. As adults we have many more choices to avoid emotional abuse and what is considered abuse depends more on the receiver than the giver. Receiving verbal abuse as adults can cross the line into physical abuse, and also a violation of our rights, if our "space" is invaded or becomes threats.

I have to agree with the others, but to destroy one internally is damage that cannot be seen by others who may be able to help.

Why did you leave out mental abuse?