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offend

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of offend

1 to commit an offense
  • Since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly.
Synonyms of offend

err, fall, sin, transgress, trespass, wander
Words Related to offend

breach, break, infringe, violate

backslide, lapse

mess up
Phrases Synonymous with offend

break the law, fall from grace
Near Antonyms of offend

forgive, justify, pardon

regret, repent, rue
2 to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
  • The visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal.
Synonyms of offend

affront, disrespect, insult, outrage, slap, slight, wound
Words Related to offend

cut, snub

displease, distress, disturb, hurt, miff, pain, trouble, upset

jeer, mock, ridicule, sneer (at), taunt

defame, disparage, libel, malign, revile, slander, slur, smear

oppress, persecute, torment, torture
Near Antonyms of offend

acclaim, applaud, approve, hail

commend, compliment, eulogize, praise

adulate, flatter, sweet-talk

exalt, glorify, honor

delight, gratify, please, satisfy
3 to fail to keep
  • The careless job offended the standards she had set for herself.
Synonyms of offend

breach, break, contravene, fracture, infringe (on or upon), traduce, transgress, violate
Words Related to offend

disobey, rebel

blow off, brush (off), disregard, flout, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight, tune out, wink (at)

dismiss, pooh-pooh (also pooh), scorn, shrug off

defy, resist, withstand
Near Antonyms of offend

defer (to), serve, submit (to), surrender (to), yield (to)

attend, hear, heed, listen (to), mark, note, notice, regard, watch
Antonyms of offend

comply (with), conform (to), follow, mind, obey, observe

Synonym Discussion of offend

offend, outrage, affront, insult 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
outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.
    • outraged by their accusations
affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.
    • deeply affronted by his callousness
insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.
    • insulted every guest at the party

Learn More about offend

  1. See words that rhyme with offend Dictionary: Definition of offend Spanish Central: Translation of offend Nglish: Translation of offend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of offend for Arabic speakers

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