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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 Since the teen didn't have a criminal record, the state Department of Juvenile Services characterized the offenses as lower-level crimes and allowed him to be released, Hamill said. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025 My last offense was more everybody get tagged on which routes. Jon MacHota, New York Times, 30 May 2025 Setter Aaron Wood runs an efficient and well-rounded offense while also being a force at the net in attacking and blocking. Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025 But after a scoreless first, Florida’s offense came to life. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for offense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense
Noun
  • Tracy Neal is an award-winning reporter who covers criminal justice (courts and crime) for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
    Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
  • Since the teen didn't have a criminal record, the state Department of Juvenile Services characterized the offenses as lower-level crimes and allowed him to be released, Hamill said.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Even before the latest Ukrainian drone strikes, amid preparations for the peace talks in Istanbul, Russia was stepping up attacks on Ukraine in what seems to be the early stages of a new summer offensive.
    Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 2 June 2025
  • Interestingly, Ukrainian intelligence operatives provided HTS with 150 FPV drones and 200 operators in the weeks proceeding their offensive.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • After law enforcement officials expressed outrage that a man accused in the Hickory party shooting was allowed a bond Wednesday, a judge on Thursday revoked his bond in a prior shooting case.
    Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025
  • These Alabama sites are focused on history, not the outrage of the week from the White House.
    Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Old resentments simmer, new transgressions come to light, and the titular swimming pool plays a critical, climactic part.
    Gráinne O'Hara Belluomo, Footwear News, 26 May 2025
  • The relationship between writer and editor is fractious, tender, and ever-changing, with resentments and gratitude sloshing back and forth like a rooftop pool during an earthquake.
    Isle McElroy, Vulture, 21 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
  • These immigrants in Florida find Trump’s offer ‘an insult’ Many are skeptical.
    South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2025
  • The master of appropriating insults just can’t do anything to make TACO his — Trump Always Cares Outstandingly just doesn’t have the same ring.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Law enforcement officials believe the man, Ramon Morales Reyes, never wrote a letter that Noem and her department shared with a message written in light blue ink expressing anger over Trump’s deportations and threatening to shoot him in the head with a rifle at a rally.
    Mike Balsamo, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • Law enforcement officials believe the man, Ramon Morales Reyes, never wrote a letter that Noem and her department shared with a message written in light blue ink expressing anger over Trump's deportations and threatening to shoot him in the head with a rifle at a rally.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Try supplements: Certain supplements, such as Riboflavin and CoQ10, can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.
    Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 6 June 2025
  • The decision came just days after an Egyptian man in Colorado was arrested and charged with carrying out an attack on a group honoring hostages being held in Gaza.
    Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on offense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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