1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
I find your disrespectful attitude toward religion very offensive the smell of rotting food is quite offensive
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obnoxious
provoking or likely to provoke protest
insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offensive
Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025
The Texas Longhorns offensive tackle, 21, was the No. 9 pick at the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday, April 24, when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
The Ukrainian army entered Russia’s Kursk region on August 6, capturing dozens of settlements in the biggest offensive by a foreign army on Russian soil since World War II.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
In return, the Bears received a treasure chest of compensation that has now netted them Moore, Williams, offensive tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and punter Tory Taylor.
—Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025
The Texas Longhorns offensive tackle, 21, was the No. 9 pick at the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday, April 24, when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to local health authorities.
—Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
The Ukrainian army entered Russia’s Kursk region on August 6, capturing dozens of settlements in the biggest offensive by a foreign army on Russian soil since World War II.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
These were disgusting, irresponsible comments by someone who is charged with overseeing public health for hundreds of millions of people.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Do not tell the patient disgusting hospital stories about your own operations or procedures.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Pro athletes are generally expected to deal with difficult pressure, including contentious opponents and obnoxious fans.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Fortunately, because those obnoxious rings of hyperpigmentation have been irking our nerves for centuries, experts have had plenty of time to figure out effective treatment options.—
Essence Gant,
Allure,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In March, two days of U.S. attacks killed more than 50 people, Houthi officials said.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Three decades later, the documentary Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror looks back on that day, featuring interviews with law enforcement involved in the case and victims of the attack.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Everyone knew it, especially when some San Francisco Giants batters took ugly hacks against it in the first inning.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Win that one, too, of course, and the No. 1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers and the best record in the NBA Eastern Conference would await to very likely only elongate the end for this Heat season and end it ugly. Do not expect a play-in to the Finals miracle run like Miami pulled off two years ago.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Shapiro told reporters at a news conference on April 16 that regardless of the motivation for the crime, political violence must be condemned as unacceptable in our society.—
Riley Beggin,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Tom Schwartz later says that the behavior is completely unacceptable, as does Jason.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Pakistan responded by aerial raids, downed an Indian military aircraft and captured an Indian pilot, who was later released.—
Time,
Time,
25 Apr. 2025
-
One of the day laborers, who avoided being detained, spoke to ABC7 News about the traumatic effect of the raid.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Before the turn of the year, Manchester City were stuck in an awful rut.—
Sam Tighe,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
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The grandson of the benefactor whose maiden name christens the auditorium itself (The Fish Theater, which spawns a stream of awful fish puns as long as a whale), Jack was born into ballet and defends dance with every fiber of his being.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But there was nothing grammatically incorrect or aesthetically objectionable about how the fashion brand had used the em dashes.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The resolution making the change states the council often considers multiple items on its agenda that are not controversial or otherwise objectionable, often leading to multiple unanimous roll call votes.—
Samuel Clanton,
arkansasonline.com,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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