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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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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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 One offense is almost immediately superseded by the next, leaving little time to react, much less absorb their individual meaning and consequence. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 The Steelers’ offense could limit his upside, but the opportunity in a potentially high-scoring game is too good to pass up. — Jonathan Rubin, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 Tuesday was a different story, as Cunningham saw significantly more court time than Johnson, and Indiana’s offense ran noticeably smoother with her on the floor. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026 By comparison, a total of 1,340 people were sentenced for a federal drug trafficking offense involving a drug overdose between fiscal years 2019 to 2023, according to a 2025 report from the US Sentencing Commission. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

Anti-immigrant marches and vigilante groups have driven a wave of social upheaval in South Africa this year, often blaming foreign migrants for the country's high crime rate.

— Rael Ombuor The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
The poll also showed that crime did not crack the top five most important issues.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Last week, Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a lightning offensive against Yemeni government forces, seizing control of the country’s entire Red Sea coast, including the towns and islands around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 20 Sep. 2026
Last week, in a shock offensive, the Yemeni rebel group known as the Houthis seized territory near the Red Sea’s strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

— Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

This is on top of Perez Hilton and plenty of other sites (Gawker included) that would just flat-out insult people, draw nasty things on their pictures, and just generally malign them.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Reclaiming the work of women selling fish, and the word that was an insult but is now a beautiful brand, is a wonderful turn of phrase and time, to us.

— Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

Lee’s film is motivated less by anger and more by curiosity, compassion and a general confusion, as no one quite knows how to behave or feel or just be.

— Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
In politics—according to Berman and, by extension, Longwell—the most convincing arguments play to love, sympathy, greed, fear, and anger.

— Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

The order warned any construction or demolition before the NPS issues final authorization would be a violation of the court.

— Kristin Wright, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026
Former Edison football coach Dave White remembers suspending his team’s best player before a trip to Hawaii for a team rule violation.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Russia's overnight attack on Ukraine included anti-ship missiles, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and more than 200 drones, Ukraine's air force said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
The platform largely automated the rest of the attack process as well.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

But when Emma never shows up to their meeting, Pao and Dante will have to go on an epic quest— filled with awkward moments, sarcasm, and somewhat reluctant friendships—to save their best friend.

— Kavya Dhillon, Parents, 19 Sep. 2026
His teammates see his personality, his ability to laugh at himself, his sarcasm, his dry wit.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of sarcasm

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“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of offense

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