variants
or offence
1
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code
wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offensive
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
combat casualties grew enormously as the weapons of offense became far more technologically advanced than defensive armor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in outrage
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
a diplomat never deliberately gives offense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in resentment
the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity
my mother was prone to take offense even at the most innocent remark
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of offense
Boston’s late-inning offense followed an up-and-down start by Gil, who held the Red Sox to two runs (one earned) over five innings, despite issuing five walks and allowing four hits.
—
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
The Royals have transformed their offense since the All-Star break last month.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025
People around the Rams wanted to see how much the second-round draft pick would be ready to contribute as a rookie, viewing his ability to contribute as a ceiling-raiser for the 2025 offense.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
Sanders is the only one of the four quarterbacks who has been with the team since the spring who hasn’t played at least some with the No. 1 offense in camp.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 Aug. 2025
The Royals have transformed their offense since the All-Star break last month.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2025
People around the Rams wanted to see how much the second-round draft pick would be ready to contribute as a rookie, viewing his ability to contribute as a ceiling-raiser for the 2025 offense.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
Sanders is the only one of the four quarterbacks who has been with the team since the spring who hasn’t played at least some with the No. 1 offense in camp.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
-
This weekend also sees the release of some notable indie titles, including Ron Howard’s survival thriller Eden, Ethan Coen’s crime comedy Honey Don’t and the English language dub of the worldwide box office blockbuster Ne Zha 2.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
As the New York Times reported on Aug. 19, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington is investigating whether the crime stats were faked.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Ukrainian leader's comments about an imminent Russian offensive add to such concerns.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
-
The Institute for the Study of War stated that the Russian drone technology has recently made large advances, giving Russia a distinct tactical advantage during its summer offensive.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
After a two-year spike during the pandemic and national outrage over police accountability, Chicago began to see a decline in homicides in 2022.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Aug. 2025
-
And starting in 2026, the commission won’t be forced to sit through lengthy meetings fueled by outrage.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
When bids are ignored or rejected, resentment and distance build.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Manage social media: Constantly checking a former friend's posts fuels resentment and sadness.—
Cameron Schoppa
Sonal Nain,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
-
Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
-
According to a cell phone video, obtained through CAIR, the man shouted several Islamophobic insults, including insults attacking Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
For those on the fringes of the fan protest, maintaining the anger to rally against those in charge probably becomes harder in those circumstances.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
-
This disclosure has sparked further anger from Trump supporters and victims' advocates, who believe the administration is withholding key details.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But just this week, BPD arrested two undocumented immigrants caught on camera carrying out a violent attack in Canton.—
WBFF STAFF,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Education has been under attack in Florida for decades; the dumbing down of our schools and society is notorious.—
Robert Kesten,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share