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
  • Tech companies have turned on the charm offensive in a bid to turn the tide.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 22 June 2026
  • At the heart of the battle will be Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and his fleet, fighting to repel the offensive led by Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) and the forces of the Triarchy.
    Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • In recent weeks, Avila Chevalier has been under a microscope for her past tweets, including posts calling for defunding the police and abolishing the border, alongside harsh insults of big-name Democrats such as former Vice President Kamala Harris.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 23 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
  • She is also accused of harassment and violation of temporary order for protection against domestic violence, both of which are misdemeanor offenses.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026
  • According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, 51-year-old Mathers of Chesterfield did not appear for an adjourned bond-violation hearing and sentencing after pleading no contest on May 11 to operating while intoxicated.
    DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • One of the dogs involved in the attack was later found in Los Angeles County and seized.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Two people were killed and seven others injured in Russian attacks on the northeastern Kharkiv region over the previous 24 hours, regional head Oleh Syniehubov said Friday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, sitcoms like Friends marked a movement toward irony in comedy with its trademark tongue-in-cheek banter and sarcasm, Thompson explains.
    Liz Regalia, Parents, 23 June 2026
  • That is said without the least bit of sarcasm.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Rhodes celebrated with the crowd at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, while Gunther walked back up the entrance ramp in a huff.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 31 May 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 27 Jun. 2026.

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