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

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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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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 Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was promoted from within and should run a similar offense to what previous coach Mike McDaniel had. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026 Fort Worth police said their Crimes Against Children Unit investigated the case and determined an offense had occurred, leading to Hemphill's arrest Tuesday afternoon. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 17 July 2026 The first offense is a misdemeanor, and a second offense is a felony that comes with up to five years in prison. — Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026 The offense is going to score points (get Zay Flowers in fantasy) and Trey Hendrickson will give the defense a boost. — Vic Tafur, New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

In the neo-noir crime thriller, Cole (Dane DeHaan) is a thief who makes a living hacking people's bank accounts from his car.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
But what does that do to the right of anyone else to say he indeed was arrested and convicted of a crime?

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Iran did claim in this year’s war that Erbil was one of the targets of its air force during the offensive its fighters took in the first days of the war, although this remains unconfirmed.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
The group built underground networks through assassinations, extortion, intimidation and infiltration before launching its offensive.

— Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 20 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

The quick exit has led to a reckoning within South Korea's football world — fueled by intense anger over accusations of favoritism and cronyism involved in the appointment of coach Hong Myung-bo.

— Juliana Kim, NPR, 16 July 2026
Welcome to the strange phenomenon of people expressing anger or helplessness to online content creators or writers who don’t acknowledge their specific lifestyles or limitations.

— Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 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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“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of offense

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