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

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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 The Keller offense has been a sight to behold so far this season with a pair of 55-point explosions in Week 1 and Week 2. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2026 Restrained scheme While Cousins has displayed the skills that make Kubiak’s offense thrive, his lack of elite physical traits also limits it. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 The Rams trailed 17-7 early in the third quarter before the Rams’ offense briefly woke up. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Sean Mannion is bringing more pre-snap motion and play action to Philly’s offense so the Commanders, while a divisional opponent, may be a bit off guard. — Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offense

Noun

At the end of August, Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency in Lima and the port of Callao due to the rise in crime and created a committee of officials to coordinate the police.

— MATTHEW LEE, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
Elements of supernatural fantasy mingle with the beats of a crime procedural as the sisters become the subjects of an investigation.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of crime

Noun

Its interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the former al-Qa’eda militant who led the rebel offensive that overthrew dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, has been struggling to rebuild a nation devastated by almost 14 years of civil war.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
According to foreign military sources, the United States and Israel had planned just such a massive air offensive in early August that would have been far larger and more damaging than earlier bombings.

— JAMES F. JEFFREY, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

Not only did the boycott fail to keep the company from slapping its Black customers in the face with its Jim Crow costume, but the insult happened with two Black men on the company’s board of directors.

— Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Sep. 2026
This much was clear from the insults continually traded between the two sets of fans.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

As a result, water is often scarce, and small protests have erupted, despite the fear of being detained, as anger and frustration boil over.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Hundreds of protesters rallied outside Israel’s embassy in Bangkok, demanding that foreign visitors — especially Israelis — stop flouting Thai laws and customs as anger over tourist misconduct spills into the streets.

— Jintamas Saksornchai, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of anger

Noun

Under Arkansas law, anyone selling alcohol on a Sunday without a permit can be found guilty of a violation fined up to $250.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Both men were denied parole last year, in part because of their use of contraband cellphones and other violations of prison rules.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of violation

Noun

Brent crude oil prices paused in early trading on Tuesday after gaining in the previous session following a drone attack on an oil pipeline pumping station in Russia that reduced flows from Kazakhstan.

— Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Wrexham have looked at signing strikers to add new dimensions to their attack.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

As Troy, his signature wide-eyed, guileless delivery of sarcasm is a first line of defense that softens as his understanding of the Russian people, including his companion, grows.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
The other presidents had some semblance of comedic appreciation, whether through cynicism, irony, sarcasm, joke-telling, joke appreciation or storytelling.

— John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of sarcasm

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“Offense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offense. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of offense

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