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
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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
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3
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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4
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of offense
Durham's criminal history included previous convictions for firearms offenses and kidnapping, records show.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Each day a dealership is found in violation counts as a separate offense.
—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
The offenses are said to have taken place between 1978 and 1981 in Kensington, London.
—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
2 July 2026
The rule keeps teams from fouling in the backcourt to stop a fast break, and a penalty awards the offense one free throw and possession.
—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for offense
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Each day a dealership is found in violation counts as a separate offense.
—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
The offenses are said to have taken place between 1978 and 1981 in Kensington, London.
—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
2 July 2026
The rule keeps teams from fouling in the backcourt to stop a fast break, and a penalty awards the offense one free throw and possession.
—
Zach Powell,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
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He was convicted of that crime and given 96 months of probation, according to the press release.
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In a press release, Bonta reiterated his commitment to combating hate in California, and said the data obtained are accessible and critical to stopping such crimes in the state.
Noun
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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s position on Ukraine remains unchanged, insisting that Russian troops are continuing their front-line offensive.
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The move reflects the success of elite drone formations such as Rubicon, which helped blunt Ukraine's offensive into Russia's Kursk region by using drones to disrupt frontline logistics.
Noun
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According to Spell and members of his congregation, the man had a history of verbally harassing them with threats, insults and racial slurs.
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Michael Lind, the writer and New America co-founder, argues in Commonplace, the magazine of Oren Cass’s American Compass, that a decent wage and a safety net should be enough, and that handing workers a stake in capital insults the dignity of their labor.
Noun
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Winters prioritized strategic logic over acknowledging the profound emotional impact on his workforce, fostering fear and anger.
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Thousands of demonstrators massed across South African cities, venting anger at undocumented foreign nationals.
Noun
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Lawyers in the gas station lawsuit assert that technology is enabling antitrust violations.
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Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
Noun
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The British Army also provided protection from attacks by Native American tribes, giving many settlers little reason to support a rebellion.
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Twice in recent days, the United States has launched retaliatory strikes on Iran following drone attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Noun
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Bluth family at the show's center, while Howard narrated the action with plenty of sarcasm.
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Avoid using silence, sarcasm or strategic distance when direct language would resolve the issue faster.
Noun
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Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
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David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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