OFFENCE Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'offense' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of offense are crime , scandal , sin , and vice . While all these words mean "a transgression of law," offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code. // at that school no offense went unpunished

Q: In what contexts can 'crime' take the place of 'offense'?

In some situations, the words crime and offense are roughly equivalent. However, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state. // the crime of murder

Q: When can 'scandal' be used instead of 'offense'?

The words scandal and offense can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience. // a career ruined by a sex scandal

Q: When is it sensible to use 'sin' instead of 'offense'?

The synonyms sin and offense are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law. // the sin of blasphemy

Q: Where would 'vice' be a reasonable alternative to 'offense'?

The meanings of vice and offense largely overlap; however, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts. // regarded gambling as a vice

offense

noun

ə-ˈfen(t)s

variants or offence

Definition of offense

as in crime

a breaking of a moral or legal code wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in insult

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings a diplomat never deliberately gives offense

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in anger

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun offense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of offense are crime, scandal, sin, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

In what contexts can crime take the place of offense?

In some situations, the words crime and offense are roughly equivalent. However, crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When can scandal be used instead of offense?

The words scandal and offense can be used in similar contexts, but scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is it sensible to use sin instead of offense?

The synonyms sin and offense are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

Where would vice be a reasonable alternative to offense?

The meanings of vice and offense largely overlap; however, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

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 That’s where the narrative has lost its proper focus this offseason, with the rallying cry for Reid to solve everything in the offense by just handing it off. — Sam McDowell 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 As for the offense overall, Payne agreed that the dustups with the defense helped motivate the offense. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 The offense marched down the field and stopped the clock with three seconds left at the 33, which was enough for a successful drill. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 31 July 2026 Including a $435 OWI surcharge, the maximum penalty for such an offense, if the defendant is convicted, is $735. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

Michael was arrested two days later, per Denver TV station KUSA, and charged with first-degree murder, use of a weapon in a violent crime, theft of $100 to $500, and abuse of a corpse.

— Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
Instead of dwelling on the crime, the owners decided to respond with humor, posting the video on Instagram with a mock 0-star review for the burglary crew.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Iranian officials have threatened ground offensives against US bases or regional states like Kuwait and Bahrain if the US targets Iranian territory, even proposing capturing American soldiers.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Ultimately, analysts say, only a ground offensive involving tens of thousands of troops is likely to remove them.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

The list of insults faced by those of us trying to live here is pretty lengthy already.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 21 July 2026
Supporters embraced the insult as a badge of resistance, turning it into a satirical political campaign that amassed more than 21 million Instagram followers in a few days.

— Aijaz Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

Gallup polling found Gen Z’s anger toward AI rose from 22% to 31% over the past year, even as regular usage held roughly steady around half of the cohort, meaning a generation that keeps using a tool it’s increasingly frustrated with.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Before the recording was played, Judge William Sullivan warned jurors not to allow sympathy, anger, passion or pity to influence their verdict.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

The state ethics commission accused the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee of failing to disclose more than $180,000 of contributions and other violations.

— David Wickert, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
The citations were issued for violations that included speeding, not adhering to traffic signs and signals, unsafe turning movements, use of cellphones and driving without a license.

— Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Widow’s Bay landed 19 nominations including for stars Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, in her incredible turn as eccentric assistant Patricia, Dale Dickey, for her chain-smoking sarcasm as Rosemary, and Stephen Root for his obstinate Wyck Crawford.

— Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026
Bluth family at the show's center, while Howard narrated the action with plenty of sarcasm.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026

Definition of sarcasm

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offends

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offenses

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“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of offense

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