offend

1 to commit an offense <since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly> Synonyms err, fall, sin, stray, transgress, trespass, wander Related Words breach, break, infringe, violate; backslide, lapse; mess up Phrases break the law, fall from grace Near Antonyms forgive, justify, pardon; regret, repent, rue

2 to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in <the visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal> Synonyms affront, dis (also diss) [slang], disrespect, insult, outrage, slap, slight, woundRelated Words cut, snub; displease, distress, disturb, hurt, miff, pain, trouble, upset; jeer, mock, ridicule, sneer (at), taunt; defame, disparage, libel, malign, revile, slander, slur, smear; oppress, persecute, torment, tortureNear Antonyms acclaim, applaud, approve, hail; commend, compliment, eulogize, praise; adulate, flatter, sweet-talk; exalt, glorify, honor; delight, gratify, please, satisfy

3 to fail to keep <keeping company without a chaperone present definitely would have offended the social standards of the day> Synonyms breach, break, contravene, fracture, infringe, violate, traduce, transgressRelated Words disobey, rebel; blow off, brush (off), disregard, flout, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight, tune out, wink (at); dismiss, pooh-pooh (also pooh), scorn, shrug off; defy, resist, withstandNear Antonyms defer (to), serve, submit (to), surrender (to), yield (to); attend, hear, heed, listen (to), mark, note, notice, regard, watchAntonyms comply (with), conform (to), follow, mind, obey, observe