offensive

play

adjective of·fen·sive \ ə-ˈfen(t)-siv , especially for sense 1 ˈä-ˌfen(t)- , ˈȯ- \

Definition of offensive

1 a :making attack :aggressive

The bear made offensive movements.

b :of, relating to, or designed for attack

offensive weapons

c :of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest

offensive maneuvers

; also :of or relating to a team in possession of the ball or puck

offensive linemen

2 :giving painful or unpleasant sensations :nauseous, obnoxious

an offensive odor

3 :causing displeasure or resentment

offensive remarks

—

offensively

adverb

—

offensiveness

noun

See offensive defined for English-language learners

See offensive defined for kids

Examples of offensive in a Sentence

He made some offensive remarks.
An offensive odor was coming from the basement.

Recent Examples of offensive from the Web

Spruill carried a heavy load as the team’s most dynamic offensive threat, running for 1,637 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns.

— oscar terrones, San Diego U-T Preps, "Mar Vista in rebuilding mode, but team's expectations are high," 30 Aug. 2017
Therefore, the Confederate flag has become a symbol for slavery and white supremacy, which is not only fundamentally wrong, but is very offensive.

— brookyln brown, Teen Vogue, "Confederate Flags in Dorm Rooms: What Students Think," 30 Aug. 2017
Beaty also announced Monday that tight end Kenyon Tabor, offensive lineman Cam Durley and running back Denzell Evans would miss the season because of injuries.

— jesse newell, kansascity, "KU football’s top recruit Octavius Matthews out for career with undisclosed ailment," 28 Aug. 2017
Horton handled the offensive line from the sideline last season to assist Hand.

— tom green, AL.com, "Where will Chip Lindsey call plays from on gamedays?," 23 Aug. 2017
Liberal activists say black Republicans have been ignoring Mr. Trump’s long history of racially offensive behavior.

— yamiche alcindor, New York Times, "Trump a ‘Moral Dilemma’ for Black Republicans After Charlottesville," 22 Aug. 2017
His offensive WAR (oWAR) for his time with the Reds was 24.5, but his defense took away from his value.

— c. trent rosecrans, Cincinnati.com, "BAR: Reggie Sanders deserves Reds Hall of Fame nod," 22 Aug. 2017
Developing into an elite offensive lineman takes more than being able to overpower a defender.

— pat disabato, Daily Southtown, "Countdown to football: Nick Marozas, Brother Rice ranked No. 4 in preseason," 21 Aug. 2017
Offensive coordinator Mike Fitzgerald has been adapting his scheme around Davis, Calcagno and Ryan Laurenzo.

— blake baumgartner, Naperville Sun, "Naperville North's newest star will be Bureau Valley transfer Drake Davis," 19 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'offensive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of offensive

circa 1564

offensive Synonyms

Synonyms

abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, rancid, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly

Antonyms

innocuous, inoffensive

Near Antonyms

acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed (also blest), congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable (or likeable), luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, welcome; unexceptionable, unobjectionable; healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

Other Military Terms

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

offensive

noun

Definition of offensive

1 :the act of an attacking party

2 :attack

See offensive defined for English-language learners

Examples of offensive in a Sentence

the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow

Recent Examples of offensive from the Web

The Bengals offensive coaches put Mixon in specifically in that moment to test him, as Jeremy Hill (26 rush yards) had played the previous five plays on the drive.

— jim owczarski, Cincinnati.com, "Bengals' RB Joe Mixon's biggest play comes away from ball," 12 Aug. 2017
Experts say more than 3,000 troops, including elite special forces, are in the northeastern corner of Lebanon to take part in the offensive.

— Bloomberg.com, "Lebanon's Army Prepares to Clear Border Area of IS Militants," 8 Aug. 2017
Wide receiver Jarvis Landry / 30.93%: Consecutive Pro Bowls as an offensive playmaker and 288 catches in three seasons will win you attention, and fans.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "His world takeover continues as Jarvis Landry wins Miami Dolphins biggest star poll," 27 July 2017
In response to terrorist attacks such as one on a boys’ school in Peshawar in 2014 that left 141 dead, the army has increasingly taken the offensive against groups that challenge the state.

— The Economist, "The pushmi-pullyuWhat makes Pakistan so unfathomable," 22 July 2017
Hackers find this arrangement ideal for surreptitiously developing and distributing malware, planning cyber offensives and sidestepping law enforcement.

— gary robbins, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Dark web: hackers, drug traffickers and others hide here as they commit crimes against you," 21 July 2017
But there's a catch: Trump's assumption that Abe can't speak, or understand, English could well be flawed (if not borderline offensive).

— leanna commins, Cosmopolitan, "Did Japan's First Lady Really Avoid Conversation With President Trump By Pretending Not To Speak English?," 21 July 2017
Each group involved in the offensive has been detaining prisoners—including juveniles—and funneling them to various facilities, where their cases are supposed to be handled in the justice system.

— emily feldman, MSNBC Newsweek, "Can ISIS's Indoctrinated Kids be Saved From a Future of Violent Jihad?," 6 July 2017
After assaults on several other cities held by the militants, including Tikrit and Ramadi, the government offensive to reclaim Mosul formally began eight months ago, after weeks of maneuvering.

— megan specia and mona boshnaq, New York Times, "Civilians Emerge From Mosul’s Rubble Starving, Injured and Traumatized," 3 July 2017

First Known Use of offensive

1687

offensive Synonyms

Other Military Terms

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

OFFENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

offensive

play

adjective

Definition of offensive for English Language Learners

: causing someone to feel hurt, angry, or upset : rude or insulting
: very unpleasant
sports : of or relating to the way that players try to score against an opponent in a game or contest

offensive

noun

Definition of offensive for English Language Learners

: a large military attack

OFFENSIVE Defined for Kids

offensive

play

adjective of·fen·sive \ ə-ˈfen-siv \

Definition of offensive for Students

1 :causing displeasure or resentment

an offensive smell

an offensive question

2 :of or relating to the attempt to score in a game or contest

the offensive team

3 :made for or relating to an attack

offensive weapons

an offensive strategy

—

offensively

adverb

—

offensiveness

noun

offensive

noun

Definition of offensive for Students

:²attack 1

The enemy launched an offensive.

— on the offensive

:in a situation that calls for opposing action

The soldiers are on the offensive.

Law Dictionary

offensive

play

adjective of·fen·sive \ ə-ˈfen-siv \

legal Definition of offensive

1 :of, relating to, or designed for attack

offensive weapons

2 :causing displeasure or resentment; especially :contrary to a particular or prevailing sense of what is decent, proper, or moral

depicted sexual acts in a patently offensive way

— see also obscene

—

offensively

adverb

—

offensiveness

noun

Learn More about offensive

See words that rhyme with offensive Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for offensive Spanish Central: Translation of offensive Nglish: Translation of offensive for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of offensive for Arabic speakers

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offensive

Definition of offensive

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offensive Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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OFFENSIVE Defined for English Language Learners

offensive

Definition of offensive for English Language Learners

offensive

Definition of offensive for English Language Learners

OFFENSIVE Defined for Kids

offensive

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offensively

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offensive

Definition of offensive for Students

Law Dictionary

offensive

legal Definition of offensive

offensively

offensiveness

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