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
But the Cowboys made a move to shore up the depth on the offensive line by re-signing backup offensive tackle Chuma Edoga to a one-year deal on Wednesday.
—
Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Even when Doncic returned for the fourth, Paul kept Golden State’s second unit on the offensive.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Russia is now on the offensive along the entire frontline, which stretches in a 600-mile-long crescent from the Russian border in northeastern Ukraine to the southern Dnipro River.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
The Jayhawks’ issue on the offensive end essentially boils down to KU’s lack of 3-point shot-taking (and making).
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024
Biden is going on the offensive on immigration as polls show voters saying Trump would better secure the border and as Democratic governors have complained about a lack of resources to house and feed hundreds of thousands of migrants transferred to their cities.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024
But now, ExxonMobil is going on the offensive with a lawsuit targeting investors who want the company to slash pollution that's raising global temperatures.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024
The Lions, with Barry Sanders in the backfield and Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover on the offensive line, finished in the top 11 in the NFL in rushing in four of Wampfler's five seasons with the team.
—Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 31 Jan. 2024
Dallas won 21-6 on the offensive glass and outscored Denver 23-6 on second chances.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 17 Mar. 2024
Clarence E. Hill Jr., Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Even when Doncic returned for the fourth, Paul kept Golden State’s second unit on the offensive.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Russia is now on the offensive along the entire frontline, which stretches in a 600-mile-long crescent from the Russian border in northeastern Ukraine to the southern Dnipro River.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024
The Jayhawks’ issue on the offensive end essentially boils down to KU’s lack of 3-point shot-taking (and making).
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 8 Mar. 2024
Biden is going on the offensive on immigration as polls show voters saying Trump would better secure the border and as Democratic governors have complained about a lack of resources to house and feed hundreds of thousands of migrants transferred to their cities.
—Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024
But now, ExxonMobil is going on the offensive with a lawsuit targeting investors who want the company to slash pollution that's raising global temperatures.
—Michael Copley, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024
The Lions, with Barry Sanders in the backfield and Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover on the offensive line, finished in the top 11 in the NFL in rushing in four of Wampfler's five seasons with the team.
—Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 31 Jan. 2024
Dallas won 21-6 on the offensive glass and outscored Denver 23-6 on second chances.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 17 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on the offensive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 25 Apr. 2024.
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