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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offensive
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Houston would collect five more such hits Saturday night in an offensive awakening.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Trying to win 16 games with an offensive-tilt is misguided, mirroring how MLB teams reliant on home runs get knocked out by good pitching every October.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
The power of former MVP quarterback Josh Allen, a superior offensive line, run game and the benefits of facing a second-place schedule.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Houston would collect five more such hits Saturday night in an offensive awakening.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
The announcement raised fears about the long-term effects of the Israeli offensive.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Trying to win 16 games with an offensive-tilt is misguided, mirroring how MLB teams reliant on home runs get knocked out by good pitching every October.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
The amount of disrespect shown the Broncos is disgusting.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Building Alligator Alcatraz and being proud of treating people inhumanely while at the same time stealing money for his charity is disgusting.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
One of these friends, over the last five years, has become more and more obnoxious with his late-night drinking.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Headphones are needed in obnoxious 2000s music playing.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Riverside County Department of Animal Services officials are seeking help from the public in locating a pair of dogs that were recently involved in an attack on a wild burro, part of a series of attacks on the creatures dating back to late 2025.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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His two-run single helped Andrew go up 5-0 after the first, and his versatility is a key component of the Thunderbolts’ attack.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The outcome was already decided – an ugly display of basketball that was never competitive – but potentially losing Doncic proverbially sucked the oxygen out of the visitors’ locker room after the game.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
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Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even in the absence of any proven crime committed by Tisch, even in the naivest retelling or understanding of Tisch’s correspondences with Epstein, his unacceptable relationship with this man deserves censure.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Artemis has been trudging along at a once-every-three-years flight rate, which Isaacman deems unacceptable.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Most people would agree that cheating and planning a school shooting are hardly equal offenses, and Borgli doesn't totally stick the landing by sweeping Emma's past impulses under the rug.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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Her ability to stretch the floor added a new dimension to Missouri’s offense down the stretch, including a strong postseason showing.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The timing is awful, as Rodon was scheduled to make a rehab start with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate.—
Logan Brown,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Broncos were awful on the ground.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In a letter obtained by CNBC, the league outlines examples of event contracts that could be easily manipulable by a single person, inherently objectionable, related to officiating and knowable in advance — and asks that operators refrain from offering such trades.—
Jessica Golden,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
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The Constitution protects a broad swath of speech, including much that the public finds objectionable.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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