variants or offence
Definition of offensenext
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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 Authorities have not released the names or ages of the juveniles, but due to the circumstances of the offense, the charges will go through the juvenile system. Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 26 June 2026 While teams often jump the gun, the Heat likely avoid being tagged as a repeat offense, having been punished by the league for such early contact with Kyle Lowry during 2021 free agency. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026 In Miami Beach, the first offense for disposing of any trash, including tree trimmings and garden garbage, somewhere you are not supposed to can led to a $500 fine. Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 Visible, consistent enforcement of quality-of-life offenses improve both the perception and reality of public safety on the CTA. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
  • My job is to report in a timely manner on crime, mass shootings, war coverage, domestic and international affairs, pop culture and more.
    Doha Madani, NBC news, 26 June 2026
  • Although federal law requires the VA to publish statistics on arrests, citations, investigations and prosecutions by local agencies, the campus police website has no link to crime data.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s position on Ukraine remains unchanged, insisting that Russian troops are continuing their front-line offensive.
    Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
  • The move reflects the success of elite drone formations such as Rubicon, which helped blunt Ukraine's offensive into Russia's Kursk region by using drones to disrupt frontline logistics.
    David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • According to Spell and members of his congregation, the man had a history of verbally harassing them with threats, insults and racial slurs.
    Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Michael Lind, the writer and New America co-founder, argues in Commonplace, the magazine of Oren Cass’s American Compass, that a decent wage and a safety net should be enough, and that handing workers a stake in capital insults the dignity of their labor.
    Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Research shows over half of American travelers feel exhausted, with one in five admitting to booking a trip out of anger.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Newsom, eyeing a presidential run in 2028, has spoken in recent months about populist anger directed towards tech executives whose companies have earned billions while their products threaten to automate jobs out of existence and suck up precious environmental resources.
    Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Lawyers in the gas station lawsuit assert that technology is enabling antitrust violations.
    Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • The British Army also provided protection from attacks by Native American tribes, giving many settlers little reason to support a rebellion.
    Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Twice in recent days, the United States has launched retaliatory strikes on Iran following drone attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Bluth family at the show's center, while Howard narrated the action with plenty of sarcasm.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026
  • Avoid using silence, sarcasm or strategic distance when direct language would resolve the issue faster.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Devers walked back to the dugout in a huff.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026
  • David walks out of the kitchen and Moira huffs and takes his spot over the pot.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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