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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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 The Chiefs were at practice last week, working on their fourth-down offense, when Andy Reid dialed up a play for Kenneth Walker. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026 The Chiefs offense changed decisively with Walker in the backfield. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 Four of those plays against Memphis came in the first half, when the Tigers’ spread offense put a lot of pressure on the linebackers and secondary. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 Sep. 2026 For more than two weeks, McCord has spent most nights studying the playbook, to familiarize himself with every nuance of the offense should he be needed to fill in for Malik Willis. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

At the end of August, Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency in Lima and the port of Callao due to the rise in crime and created a committee of officials to coordinate the police.

— MATTHEW LEE, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
Elements of supernatural fantasy mingle with the beats of a crime procedural as the sisters become the subjects of an investigation.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Its interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former al-Qa’eda militant who led the rebel offensive that overthrew dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, has been struggling to rebuild a nation devastated by almost 14 years of civil war.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
According to foreign military sources, the United States and Israel had planned just such a massive air offensive in early August that would have been far larger and more damaging than earlier bombings.

— JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

As a result, water is often scarce, and small protests have erupted, despite the fear of being detained, as anger and frustration boil over.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Hundreds of protesters rallied outside Israel’s embassy in Bangkok, demanding that foreign visitors — especially Israelis — stop flouting Thai laws and customs as anger over tourist misconduct spills into the streets.

— Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Under Arkansas law, anyone selling alcohol on a Sunday without a permit can be found guilty of a violation fined up to $250.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Both men were denied parole last year, in part because of their use of contraband cellphones and other violations of prison rules.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Ukraine's State Emergency Service said Tuesday that Russian strikes on Kyiv had killed one person and wounded seven other people since the start of the day, with attacks carried out on the capital's gas stations.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
The number of products deployed or dollars spent says little about an organization’s ability to withstand an attack.

— Shane Buckley, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

As Troy, his signature wide-eyed, guileless delivery of sarcasm is a first line of defense that softens as his understanding of the Russian people, including his companion, grows.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The other presidents had some semblance of comedic appreciation, whether through cynicism, irony, sarcasm, joke-telling, joke appreciation or storytelling.

— John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of sarcasm

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offends

offense

offenses

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“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of offense

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