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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 But there were few other fireworks for the offense, as the Sox were outscored 26-8 in the series. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025 Meanwhile, La Costa Canyon’s first-half offense was led by attacker Jackson Schaffer. Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025 And while injuries haven't been a problem so far this season, his inability to create offense has been. Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025 Without Tatum’s rim pressure and shot creation, the Celtics were reduced to isolation-heavy offense and desperate kickouts for three. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
  • With countless crimes to choose from, the series joins its sister show, American Murder.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • Still, Pritzker's balancing act—managing a blue state in the heartland with challenges ranging from crime to affordability while also eyeing a national platform—remains fraught.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Noun
  • Israel launched an intensified offensive in Gaza on Sunday, ordering mass evacuations, stepping up airstrikes throughout the territory and killing hundreds of Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials.
    Daniel Estrin, NPR, 21 May 2025
  • Instead, Modi told the public that India’s military offensive had brought Pakistan to its knees to beg for a cease-fire.
    Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The abuses have sparked outrage and fear among South Sudanese nationals and marginalized groups in Khartoum, seen as having ties to RSF, who have recruited mercenaries from South Sudan.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 16 May 2025
  • The deaths sparked outrage and consumed social media for months as the case unfolded.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • This is largely because of the general resentment surrounding Paul, not because of his heelish actions inside the ring, but because of his controversial actions outside of it.
    Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • Possibly further fueling Jones’s resentment, he had been named in two inspector general Investigations in 2022.
    Emmet C. Davitt, Baltimore Sun, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.
    Jacky Wong, WSJ, 6 Feb. 2023
  • Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.
    Reuters, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2023
Noun
  • Sarandos, playing a cheeky version of himself, delivers a sharp line about contractual award show shout-outs before signing off with an insult.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 May 2025
  • People hurled insults as the police started taking down the barricades.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • The city councilor and over two dozen residents responded to Eureka Street after the presence of federal agents in the neighborhood sparked anger Thursday morning.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025
  • Tangent Posts made by the X account named after Prevost triggered anger among some of the president’s most vocal supporters online.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 13 May 2025
  • In late August, Schuyler belatedly learned that Washington was preparing a second prong of attack, which would depart from Massachusetts and make its way north through the wilds of Maine and Quebec under Arnold’s command.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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