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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of offense
The Heat’s new-look offense relies on players getting by their defender and into the paint without the help of a screen.
—
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
With Kelly running the offense in Vegas, if the Raiders do, indeed, have a top-five pick next April, Moore might be too enticing a player for the team to pass up on.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Andy Reid has kept the offense on the field for fourth-and-short 11 times, tied for the most in the league with Indianapolis, voluntarily seeking out these spots.
—Sam McDowell 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Josh Simmons was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and was figured to be a main piece of the team’s offense moving forward.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
With Kelly running the offense in Vegas, if the Raiders do, indeed, have a top-five pick next April, Moore might be too enticing a player for the team to pass up on.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Andy Reid has kept the offense on the field for fourth-and-short 11 times, tied for the most in the league with Indianapolis, voluntarily seeking out these spots.
—Sam McDowell 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Josh Simmons was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and was figured to be a main piece of the team’s offense moving forward.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
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The crimes with which she has been charged are trumped up and her arrest is a cynical ploy by the junta headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to cling onto power.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Rafael is a crime and breaking news reporter at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The campaign began with an air offensive in January 1991, followed by a swift ground assault that expelled Iraqi forces within 100 hours.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Determined to stop the anti-imperial policies of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, British and French representatives met with Israeli officials in October 1956 to forge a secret agreement for a coordinated offensive against Egypt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Weston said stripping Andrew of the medal would be an insult to those who have served in the British armed forces.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
In popular discourse, the word has taken on a life of its own, as an insult deployed without clear reference to any theory of psychology.—
David Merritt Johns,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The thumping Republicans took in this week's elections reflected longer-running anger among constituencies that already leaned Democratic, but the GOP needs to worry that the government shutdown will cause that frustration to spread.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
And that is why my first true voice—the one that could hold complexity, contradiction, grief, even anger—came in English.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Among those scheduled to testify at the hearing for the government were an Oklahoma couple who were storing some of Goudreau's belongings, including two assault rifles an associate recently tried to retrieve in possible violation of a court order against possessing firearms while on bond.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Nov. 2025
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The denial letter said Farzam was convicted of making a false statement to the DMV and a registration violation.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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All three nuclear powers have established their own nuclear triad, consisting of ICBMs, submarines armed with ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, which ensure their forces can survive a first strike and retaliate, thereby deterring a nuclear attack.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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But in the final weeks of the race, both campaigns traded personal attacks.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Cleveland says narcissists often disguise sarcasm as humor, slipping in cutting remarks about your intelligence, competence, or appearance but framing them as playful.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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While the track leans toward sarcasm, the soon-to-be-anthem perfectly captures a generational sentiment.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Lloyd evaded a diving Mahomes, Kareem Hunt and a streaking Tyquan Thornton for a huff-and-puff 99-yard interception return for a touchdown.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
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Kemp looked at the ceiling and blew a huff of air when Schwartz announced the sentence.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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