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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Even with a veteran such as Dobbs in the mix, Altmyer has been the first QB on the field when the Lions turn to their second-team offense — rather consistently. — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The rest of the game would follow suit as the Sparks couldn’t contain the Dream’s offense. — Jordan Puente, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Southlake Carroll ramping up Southlake Carroll’s offense picked its moments to strike downfield. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026 The reports from Tuesday’s joint practice indicated the Chargers’ offense had its way with San Francisco’s defense. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

The scene of the crime, 30 years later There is no monument to Shakur at the corner of Flamingo Road and Koval Lane where he was shot.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Laws regarding incarceration of youthful offenders — age 25 or younger at the time of the crime — have evolved since the siblings were tried.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

The White House declined to comment on criticism of the president’s new economic offensive against Iran.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
The bottom line is that the backup offensive tackle position is a problem spot and Ford was supposed to be the one to solve it.

— Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

Their frustrations have ranged from anger over the tax incentives offered to certain projects to NIMBY-esque aesthetic concerns about acres upon acres of solar panels.

— Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
This recent incident has caused a great deal of anger and frustration among the Taiwanese artistic community and general public as news has circulated online widely this week.

— Vivienne Chow, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

The violations on the report include employees not having a food handler card, as well as no drain plugs being seen when observing the plumbing.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
The states argue that Meta withheld relevant information from users and parents, who might have benefited from knowing the ineffectiveness of the feature and others like it, constituting a violation of consumer protection laws.

— John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Detectives charged him with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon for the vicious attack that killed his mother, 57-year-old Josefa Soto de Guzman, on Friday.

— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026
Just like Ejva, who suddenly needs to learn how to protect the herd and make her family proud, even when a violent attack leaves her struggling.

— Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

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
Like all of Roth’s content, there is a mix of dead seriousness, dry sarcasm, and wondrous joy in equal measure.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of offense

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