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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
a diplomat never deliberately gives offense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of offense
Keeping the 49ers close was an Eagles’ offense that rediscovered the clunky form that’s drawn criticism all season.
—
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Eagles fans started booing their offense midway through the third quarter after their third straight punt.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
There’s a dose of gallows humor about an offense whose biggest call for credit was its red zone efficiency ending the season on the 21-yard line.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers totally shut down Minnesota’s offense, handing the Vikings their third Super Bowl defeat, 16-6.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offense
Cam Inman, Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2026
Eagles fans started booing their offense midway through the third quarter after their third straight punt.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026
There’s a dose of gallows humor about an offense whose biggest call for credit was its red zone efficiency ending the season on the 21-yard line.
—Zach Berman, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers totally shut down Minnesota’s offense, handing the Vikings their third Super Bowl defeat, 16-6.
—Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
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The charges Dasjanae Teyona Timmons, a 23-year-old with a Jessup address, and Dahmira Monya Laboo, another 23-year-old with a Severn address, were identified as suspects in the crime.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Tyrone Williams faces 10 charges in Roxbury District Court, including multiple assault and firearms charges, compounded by having a previous violent crime or drug crime conviction.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That’s with a 44 percent offensive-zone starting percentage.—
Scott Powers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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David Ellison launched his WBD offensive shortly after closing the Paramount Skydance merger in August with a trio of unsolicited offers for the entire company, all rejected.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In what could be a scene straight out of the official Netflix movie, a comment intended as an insult instead galvanized the troops.—
Natalie Jarvey,
Fortune,
10 Jan. 2026
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The article does not even state the names of all the candidates in the race, an insult to those who polled higher than Leon.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Did the man go too far, or was his anger justified?—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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As Blacc hinted at, there is more than a little anger to go around about what happened before, during and since the fires, along with the sorrow and thousand other emotions.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Some of those fees, like the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, have absolutely nothing to do with traffic violations.—
Julie Watts,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Some of Miami’s 23 turnovers were a function of OKC’s attacking defense, but others were simply careless, including an over-and-back violation by Jaime Jaquez; Dru Smith and Pelle Larsson passes to nobody in particular; and Bam Adebayo failing to grab a catchable pass that sailed out of bounds.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Good's defenders – including city and state leaders – are calling what happened an unjustified attack; federal authorities say the agent was acting in self-defense.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
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In Kyiv, a CNN reporter said that the attack began around midnight, starting with multiple drone strikes on residential buildings.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The video, narrated with dry sarcasm and visible exhaustion, quickly went viral.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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With her signature deadpan sarcasm and round glasses, Daria critiqued suburban life and the insanity of high school popularity contests with wit and honesty.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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As much as Payton bristles about media storylines and huffs about tempo questions, the Broncos went 25 minutes without a first down against Las Vegas.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
22 Nov. 2025
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After 36 minutes of cagey huff-and-puff, Arsenal’s clean-sheet record was spoiled again in game nine of their run, though, as in 1903, their undefeatedness in that stretch was to remain intact.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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