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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 License plate data is only collected to issue fines for speeding and will not be utilized for other potential offenses, Bajek said. Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025 This is an obvious chips-in move for them after their half-court offense face-planted against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. John Hollinger, New York Times, 22 June 2025 After dealing for George Pickens with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bryant thinks the Cowboys’ offense can explode this year. Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025 The addition of Durant would have helped the Heat’s struggling offense, as Miami has finished with a bottom-10 offensive rating in each of the last three regular seasons. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
  • In her 30-year career, Laura has won numerous national awards for coverage of human trafficking, child welfare, crime and government secrecy.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
  • Her only 'crime' seems to be coming from the 'wrong' country.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • But in Gaza, Israel’s offensive has shown no signs of abating, with Israeli fire killing hundreds of people there since the Iran-Israel conflict began.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
  • Then over the weekend, the U.S. joined the Israeli offensive directly — bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities.
    Alex Leff, NPR, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Months of arrests in Charlotte ICE has been making increasingly public arrests in Mecklenburg County over the last several months, stoking fear and outrage.
    Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025
  • In an environment where virality often outperforms veracity, the temptation rises: optimize for engagement, lean into outrage and co-opt the aesthetic of authenticity without accountability.
    ByLyric Mandell, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • This helps prevent confusion, resentment, or unrealistic assumptions—especially under stress.
    Raul Elizalde, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Unrealistic demands can lead to burnout, resentment and a loss of productivity across the entire team.
    Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 24 June 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
  • Under it, anyone who defames, insults or threatens the King, Queen, heir apparent, or regent faces three to 15 years in prison.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 26 June 2025
  • To suggest that the lawsuit is a look into the past insults understatement, and in the process calls into question the worth of the FTC.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • He’s allowed to feel the frustration and anger at them.
    Eric Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
  • One legacy of Biden’s disastrous 2024 campaign has Democratic anger at the refusal of some elderly politicians to recognize when the time has come to cede the spotlight.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Regional authorities in Lviv, which borders Poland, reported attacks on critical infrastructure but no casualties.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
  • Sunday’s attacks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments two days ago that Moscow is ready for a fresh round of direct peace talks in Istanbul.
    Volodymyr Yurchuk, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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