on the offensive
idiom
: in or into a situation or position in which one attacks or fights against someone or something
The soldiers are on the offensive.
She went on the offensive to fight the charges against her.
Examples of on the offensive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wilson Dubinsky secured six of his eight rebounds on the offensive end and finished with a game-high 23 points.
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Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
Francis, who has consistently led the team in points, was still reliable on the offensive end and put up a game-high 26 points.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
Woburn held a six-point lead at the half, benefiting from a mixture of tenacity on the offensive glass (10 first-half offensive rebounds) and constant movement on offense.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
There were issues on the offensive line, too.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the offensive
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Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 1 Feb. 2026
Francis, who has consistently led the team in points, was still reliable on the offensive end and put up a game-high 26 points.
—Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
Woburn held a six-point lead at the half, benefiting from a mixture of tenacity on the offensive glass (10 first-half offensive rebounds) and constant movement on offense.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
There were issues on the offensive line, too.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the offensive
Cite this Entry
“On the offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20offensive. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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