offensive

²offensive

noun

Definition of OFFENSIVE

1

: the act of an attacking party

2

: attack

Examples of OFFENSIVE

1. <the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow>

First Known Use of OFFENSIVE

1687

Related to OFFENSIVE

Synonyms: aggression, assault, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, offense (or offence), attack, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strike

Related Words: ambuscade, ambush; counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike; sally, sortie; envelopment, flanking; breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion; pillage, ravage, sack; air raid, bombardment, bombing; siege, storm; barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley; whammy

Near Antonyms: defense, defensive, guard, shield; opposition, resistance; protection, security, shelter

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Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

Rhymes with OFFENSIVE

defensive, intensive