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 More to Read June 5, 2025 Ricky Gervais can offend you to death. Nate Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025 For example, in a hit-and-run case, an officer might search the software to learn where the offending vehicle regularly drives and then go to those locations to catch the driver. Kara Newhouse, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 June 2025 If the defendant in such a case wins the special motion and the offending cause of action is dismissed, then the defendant who brought the special motion must be awarded their attorney fees, expenses and costs in relation to the special motion. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025 Her parents, or the girl herself, may well be offended at the notion that her family cannot afford to meet your family’s dress standards. Judith Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for offend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend
Verb
  • This reclassification grants the Army's U.S. Northern Command expanded authority to enforce immigration laws, including the power to search and temporarily detain those who trespass in the new military zone.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • The county judge and county attorney — the officials who handled the thousands of trespassing prosecutions — each got a substantial raise.
    Jack Herrera Jack Herrera, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump has repeatedly insulted Powell and called him names.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 26 June 2025
  • In particular, its retread of plot elements that had already been rehashed to death was annoying and borderline insulting at this point.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Its Senate passage could come as soon as Monday after days of delay due to the parliamentarian, a nonpartisan Senate rules referee, determining that dozens of provisions violated the Byrd Rule.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 29 June 2025
  • The family of 17-year-old Victor Perez, an autistic teenager who was shot nine times by police officers in Idaho earlier this year, is suing the Pocatello Police Department (PPD) over claims that officers violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
    Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • In the footage, the wooden wall can be seen falling forward with a thud, while two vertical cables hang behind, apparently slack.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 June 2025
  • Cumulative profits at major industrial firms fell 1.1% in the first five months of 2025, compared to a year earlier, the data showed.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • This move outraged Figgers as well as some DeSantis appointees to the Broward School Board.
    Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
  • The foundation’s failure to build a memorial outraged some victim families who questioned its spending decisions and operations.
    Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • So a guineafowl moving at a slow jog of 1 km/h (0.6 mph) – roughly the pace of a wandering toddler – through Alexander's formula would be estimated as 4.7 km/h (2.9 mph).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 June 2025
  • Guests are invited to wander the gardens, join sourdough baking classes, and basically geek out on where their food comes from.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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