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
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
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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
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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
The investigation remains ongoing to determine whether additional criminal offenses occurred during the time the juvenile was missing.
—
Aaron A. Bedoya, USA Today, 8 May 2026
He’s considered decisive, key in Shanahan’s offense, and accelerates quickly.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
In Minnesota, individuals serve two-thirds of their prison term in custody and the remaining third on supervised release, meaning Trepanier will serve no additional time for the offense.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
Because the offense crossed state lines, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been notified, and more charges may be brought against Vasquez Mejia.
—Briauna Brown, CBS News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for offense
Aaron A. Bedoya, USA Today, 8 May 2026
He’s considered decisive, key in Shanahan’s offense, and accelerates quickly.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
In Minnesota, individuals serve two-thirds of their prison term in custody and the remaining third on supervised release, meaning Trepanier will serve no additional time for the offense.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026
Because the offense crossed state lines, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been notified, and more charges may be brought against Vasquez Mejia.
—Briauna Brown, CBS News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
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Anti-gang units, officials say, form the backbone of the department’s crime fighting efforts in neighborhoods plagued by gang violence.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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But that, again, doesn’t stop the crime.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Noun
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When a bill to pour billions into financing Israel’s military came across Congressman Kweisi Mfume’s desk, Israel’s military offensive in Gaza had claimed a death toll of over 70,000 people, as reported by local health authorities and acknowledged as broadly accurate by the Israeli military.—
Mark Conway,
Baltimore Sun,
9 May 2026
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After a largely grotesque first quarter offensive for Minnesota in Game 3 on Friday night, Anthony Edwards lit a match that set Target Center ablaze.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2026
Noun
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When Azik tries to rid himself of the stigma, calling someone else weak as if to offload the physical weight of the insult, a startling act of violence occurs.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
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Sometimes, there’s no better way to pay tribute to a dear friend than by lambasting them with insults.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
Noun
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The family’s anger has subsided some since the baby’s death, in part because of their trust in God’s plan.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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The Nuggets need more athleticism, more length, more anger, more hunger.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Garcia Martinez was processed for federal immigration law violations and transported to a detention facility with detainers to ensure extradition to New York after final adjudication of the immigration violations, CBP said.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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But a confidential internal audit later seemed to suggest body camera misuse was more widespread, finding similar violations among patrol officers in three other divisions, including 77th Street.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Noun
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In recent years, a litany of violent, seemingly unprovoked attacks across Metro led to the deaths or severe injury of several passengers—a confirmation of Angelenos’ worst fears about the system.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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According to the Qataris, two Iranian ballistic missiles and three drone attacks led to the injury of three people in the Gulf nation.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Noun
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So, does Aaron Boone make anything of the fact that his Yankees can only beat up on bad teams (please note the sarcasm)?—
Gary Phillips,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2026
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Yet even in that apparent act of accountability, the sarcasm never fully disappeared.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Among agonized grunts and huffs, Probst narrated the fumbles.—
Sarah Grant,
New Yorker,
2 Feb. 2026
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David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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