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 If Becket’s rule were implemented, in other words, every public school would have to provide advance notice to any parent about any lesson that might offend that parent’s religious views. Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025 That brand of authenticity—the idea of his work as singular art objects—offends him. Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 A lot of the time, the people on the stage or on the show, they’re not even offended. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025 That clip became so prominent in part because, the same week, Barrett offended the Trump base. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for offend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend
Verb
  • The military is now authorized to search and temporarily detain individuals who trespass on the New Mexico National Defense Area, provide medical assistance and implement crowd control measures until law enforcement arrives to take them into custody.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Wheeler was previously convicted of trespassing charges from March 18, 2020 and Nov. 18, 2022.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Richie's wife verbally attacks Maeve, even stooping so low as to look her up and down and insult her appearance.
    Matt Cabral, EW.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Have you guys been insulting each other publicly for decades?
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Immigrant rights advocates argued the administration violated a court order by flying four Venezuelans from Guantanamo to El Salvador.
    Nate Raymond, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • If so, what core value was that hour-long run violating?
    Randi Braun, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rising bond yields Yields on 10-year Treasury bonds typically fall – and their prices rise - as investors flee stocks for the safe haven of Treasuries during economic slowdowns.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, falls and the war is effectively over.
    Heather McRea, Oc Register, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In addition to the changes around LGBTQ+ inclusion, 2021 restrictions on a certain traditionalist liturgy outraged a contingent of Catholics who developed a cynicism about Francis’ reforms mirroring that of the Second Vatican Council.
    Liam Adams, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The shootings outraged many in the international community, with some calling the killings a war crime.
    Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After a 3-month long girls trip along Florida’s Gulf Coast, a wayward pair of endangered North Atlantic right whales known as Curlew and Koala have finally wandered back to the Atlantic Ocean.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Alberta is skeptical… until Hetty points out how Pete has been wandering and dating up a storm, was secretly in the mafia and punched Thor in the face after the Viking slept with Carol.
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Offend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offend. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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