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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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 Obviously, everybody’s talked about this is a big piece you guys have been looking for offensively to help take the offense to the next level. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Nov. 2026 Brown said both point guards have to get the Knicks into their offense, run the team, defend and do the little things that win games. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 11 Nov. 2026 Watkins, Hall, and Davidson had double-digit points, closing out one of the best opening halves of offense from USC on the young season. — Gabriel Duarte, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026 Victor Wembanyama is obviously the focal point of the offense and defense, but he has been surrounded by really talented players. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

Republicans, however, could take advantage of Newsom’s action and cast him as a soft-on-crime liberal who is out of touch with most Americans, which risks turning away moderate voters.

— Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
Eisenberg was sworn in as assistant attorney general in charge of the department's National Security Division in June 2025 and oversaw cases involving espionage, terrorism, export control violations, cyber crimes and other matters.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Bass went on the offensive as well, hitting Raman over her shifting political positions on public safety, homelessness, housing production and other issues.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Almost from the moment the couples sit down, Wendy goes on the offensive, directing a barrage of questions toward Tia and Robert about the state of their relationship.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

Initially billed as a publicity stunt from billionaire Bill Koch (brother to conservative bundlers Charles and David Koch), the women overcame considerable odds — and loads of sexist insults — to defeat some of the world’s greatest sailors.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Stairs took it as an insult, marching offstage just before the set ended.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

That anger essentially becomes Dylan’s oxygen by the end of the run.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 7 Nov. 2026
The plot of Godzilla Minus Zero is a whirl of characters trying to redeem themselves for their past mistakes, or feeling so much anger toward an aggressor that their own moral compasses go awry.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

The Lakers, playing with Sexton as their primary ballhandler during the stretch, had four turnovers during the drought, including a shot clock violation after a timeout.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
The building didn’t just fall into disrepair but was legally condemned by the town of Branford due to fire safety and other code violations.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

The Hope spent much of its time ferrying sailors and the wounded from other ships or ports to military hospitals, and like the Comfort, it too was attacked multiple times, though each attack failed, usually just missing the ship.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026
Following the Halle synagogue attack, Germany provided 22 million euros in special federal funding for physical and technical security at Jewish sites.

— Marc Schneier, New York Daily News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of attack

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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 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of offense

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