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 + atShe takes offense at any criticism.
Examples of take offense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
First-year Lions defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson appeared to take offense to the Chiefs' coaching staff going for it.
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Chantz Martin, Fox News, 9 Sep. 2023
Audrey smiled, but she’s been known to take offense when ElliQ is spoken to harshly.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2023
Like most satires, The Blackening won’t be everyone’s cup of tea; there’ll undoubtedly be those who will take offense to the film’s irreverent takes on Black culture.
—Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 20 June 2023
Some folks may take offense to the use of the term.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 June 2023
The image was not a satirical drawing but an illustration from medieval Persia, and López Prater gave advance warning, allowing any student who might take offense to leave.
—Russell Jacoby, Harper's Magazine, 16 Feb. 2023
The comments that followed ranged from utter ignorance that anyone could take offense at receiving a link, to a spirited embrace of the power move.
—Nicole Gull McElroy, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2022
Klara does not take offense, but readers feel the question’s sting.
—Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2021
In the absurdist precincts of the climate blogosphere, certain gatekeepers take offense when their icons and orthodoxy are challenged.
—Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 20 July 2011
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Chantz Martin, Fox News, 9 Sep. 2023
Audrey smiled, but she’s been known to take offense when ElliQ is spoken to harshly.
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2023
Like most satires, The Blackening won’t be everyone’s cup of tea; there’ll undoubtedly be those who will take offense to the film’s irreverent takes on Black culture.
—Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 20 June 2023
Some folks may take offense to the use of the term.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 June 2023
The image was not a satirical drawing but an illustration from medieval Persia, and López Prater gave advance warning, allowing any student who might take offense to leave.
—Russell Jacoby, Harper's Magazine, 16 Feb. 2023
The comments that followed ranged from utter ignorance that anyone could take offense at receiving a link, to a spirited embrace of the power move.
—Nicole Gull McElroy, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2022
Klara does not take offense, but readers feel the question’s sting.
—Heller McAlpin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2021
In the absurdist precincts of the climate blogosphere, certain gatekeepers take offense when their icons and orthodoxy are challenged.
—Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 20 July 2011
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'take offense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Take offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20offense. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
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