variants
or offences
1
as in crimes
a breaking of a moral or legal code
wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in assaults
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
3
as in outrages
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
a diplomat never deliberately gives offense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in resentments
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 offenses
First-year starting quarterback Dante Moore and receiver Malik Benson — on his third blue-blood school in three years — have the Ducks flying into the meat of their schedule and looking like one of the nation’s best offenses.
—
David Ubben, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The Fresh Start Act of 2022 proposed expunging certain nonviolent federal offenses, while the Weldon Angelos Act sought expungement for pardoned convictions.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Just with way worse WRs and a changing defensive landscape designed at taking away explosives and muddying the waters for offenses.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
Three of them have been found guilty of criminal offenses, including Rafael Correa, who served as president from 2007-2017 and was sentenced for a bribery case.
—Sofía Benavides, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Both of these offenses are operating at a high level.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Henson embarks on a campaign of revenge, which ranges from Bride Wars-style antics (acid on a wedding dress) to more serious Fatal Attraction-esque offenses, like the beyond-bonkers, ax-wielding climax set on a yacht.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
The fine is much more than what Mississippi State would have had to pay under the SEC's old system last year that fined schools $100,000 for first offenses, $250,000 for second offenses, and $500,000 all offenses after the third.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
In 2023, the Pretrial Integrity Act shifted authority for certain violent offenses from magistrates to judges.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
David Ubben, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The Fresh Start Act of 2022 proposed expunging certain nonviolent federal offenses, while the Weldon Angelos Act sought expungement for pardoned convictions.
—Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Just with way worse WRs and a changing defensive landscape designed at taking away explosives and muddying the waters for offenses.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2025
Three of them have been found guilty of criminal offenses, including Rafael Correa, who served as president from 2007-2017 and was sentenced for a bribery case.
—Sofía Benavides, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
Both of these offenses are operating at a high level.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Henson embarks on a campaign of revenge, which ranges from Bride Wars-style antics (acid on a wedding dress) to more serious Fatal Attraction-esque offenses, like the beyond-bonkers, ax-wielding climax set on a yacht.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025
The fine is much more than what Mississippi State would have had to pay under the SEC's old system last year that fined schools $100,000 for first offenses, $250,000 for second offenses, and $500,000 all offenses after the third.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
In 2023, the Pretrial Integrity Act shifted authority for certain violent offenses from magistrates to judges.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offenses
Noun
-
Authorities in the Paris region have investigated nine cases of crimes suspected of being sponsored by foreign powers since 2023, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The military regime passed an Amnesty Law in 1979, and Brazil has never prosecuted any of the military officials responsible for crimes committed during the regime—kidnapping, torture, and murders.—
Adriana Carranca,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This coalesces and makes sense of the barrage of assaults designed to undermine Americans’ trust in our country, our Constitution and all the principles upon which it was built.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
-
These smears are contributing to our ICE law enforcement officers facing 1,000 percent increase in assaults against them.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
As a result of that and other outrages, in 2008 voters passed Proposition 11, the Voters FIRST Act.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With just 24 hours to decide the fate of the house, old resentments bubble up, secrets are exposed and shifting alliances test whatever bonds remain.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
-
People-pleasing turns into resentments.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Both offensives also caused widespread fires.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
20 Aug. 2025
-
Now, both the Mayitos and Chapitos have stepped up their offensives to seize key territories, Dittmar explains.—
Rocío Muñoz-Ledo,
CNN Money,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Today, the Court needlessly subjects countless more to these exact same indignities.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In some states, the oppression and the indignities around reproductive health extends beyond menstruation to birth.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Democrats like Bell continue to defend Israel from progressive attacks.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Terrorists expanded their use of the internet for a wide range of activities, including planning attacks, radicalization and recruitment, propaganda dissemination, and fundraising.—
Richard Frankel,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Egyptian influencers linked to intelligence fronts launched vicious personal attacks, including ethnic slurs, against the Saudi royal family and graphic insults targeting the crown prince.—
Khaled Hassan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After a brief pause, the messages resumed months later and escalated to 40-50 a day, ranging from insults about Lauryn’s appearance to alarming threats against her relationship.—
Jordana Comiter,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offenses. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share