offend

1
as in to trespass
to commit an offense since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word offend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of offend are affront, insult, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Where would affront be a reasonable alternative to offend?

The synonyms affront and offend are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When would insult be a good substitute for offend?

In some situations, the words insult and offend are roughly equivalent. However, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When might outrage be a better fit than offend?

The words outrage and offend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

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 offend Right before things went off the rails, Ye was offended that Morgan got his follower count wrong on X. Morgan listed 32 million when the exact number is upward of 33.3 million at press time. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 May 2025 Thankfully, Nikki wasn't overly offended and knew her mom's comment wasn't meant maliciously. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025 No specific offending Trump policy was detailed in the article. Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025 The hapless student, of course, could not afford to offend this senior professor and said something polite and carried on with his talk. Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for offend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend
Verb
  • Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who last week was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly trespassing at a detention center, and Representative Josh Gottheimer each had the backing of 9 percent of respondents.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
  • Newark Mayor Ras Baraka returned to the gates of an ICE detention center days after he was arrested for allegedly trespassing at the same facility.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • On a trip into town, Lucas gets into a scuffle with another boy who’s insulting their late mother, hurting him.
    Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 9 May 2025
  • Later, the man Husk is chasing, Bob Mathews (Nicholas Hoult), follows him to a hunting ground and insults Husk’s chain-smoking, suggesting his smell keeps the elk away.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Penalties for violating the new rule can exceed $50,000.
    Monica Pitrelli,Bella Stoddart, CNBC, 12 May 2025
  • That was when the makers, Epic Games, included a direct payment option into the app, which violated Apple’s rules.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Still, after being widely projected as a Day 2 talent, Webb fell undrafted in April.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 May 2025
  • Last night, the Rockies were 0-for-7 after falling behind 1-2.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Race aside, police brutality by anyone against anyone should outrage everyone.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 11 May 2025
  • The concert outraged many Mexicans, and Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla soon announced a ban on public performances that glorify crime and violence.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • George, a backyard community cat who took up residence at the Loma Verde complex in Lakeland, Florida, grew impatient after getting neutered at the local SPCA and wandered nearly three miles back home, according to a press release shared with PEOPLE on Monday, May 19.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 19 May 2025
  • Built as part of the Cardiff Hall plantation, the property had fallen into near ruin; chickens and the odd goat wandered through the living room.
    Isabel Wilkinson Schor, New York Times, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Offend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offend. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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