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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After the game Campbell talked about Miles’ impact on the offensive end. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Nov. 2025 While this team isn’t playing with a full deck, missing its starting quarterback Conner Harrell, tailback Henry Rutledge, center Jonny King, and a handful of depth pieces on the offensive line, the play-calling by Fitch is among the worst in college football. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 15 Nov. 2025 While his dominance hasn’t come as a surprise, Antetokounmpo is on pace to have a career-best effort on the offensive end so far. Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025 Russia has been on the offensive for two years, and the pressure on Ukraine will mount as the density of Ukrainian defenders thins. Jack Watling, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for on the offensive

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On the offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20offensive. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!