take offense

idiom

: to become angry or upset by something that another person has said or done : to be offended by something
He took offense when I suggested exchanging the gift.
often + at
She takes offense at any criticism.

Examples of take offense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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When Katie objects, the music cuts out and Becky’s parents take offense. William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2025 And that target can either shrug, laugh along, or take offense. Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025 In the East, the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers may take offense with Green's comment. Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025 Those who might take offense are also free to decline. R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for take offense

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Cite this Entry

“Take offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20offense. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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