offended

Definition of offendednext
past tense of offend
1
as in trespassed
to commit an offense since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3

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 offended Who could possibly be offended? Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2026 Perpetually offended, safe spaces, censoring free speech, culture of victimhood. Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Feb. 2026 Many say they are offended that their legal status, and by extension, their patriotism, could be questioned. Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026 But, stop the presses, even some Republicans were offended. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Williams said he was offended until the Hogues explained himself. Timia Cobb breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026 Many viewers were offended by the conduct of both the protesters and the journalists. Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026 To that end, Murphy invoked Rule 38 while emphasizing that she was offended by Durkan’s remark about her lack of preparation for the meeting. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026 Shapiro was flabbergasted and offended. Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offended
Verb
  • Kelly insisted to the Washington Examiner that they were invited into the church, countering claims that the protesters trespassed.
    Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The suit also alleges agents regularly trespassed on private property and used riot weapons, like tear gas, on people who weren’t resisting.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The president has frequently insulted Powell and threatened to fire him.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Hurry, sizes are going fast The comforter set is intentionally oversized to fit a variety of mattresses, and it’s insulted like a puffer jacket to keep you toasty warm at night.
    Michelle Baricevic, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • UMass Amherst likely violated a student’s First Amendment rights when the campus suspended the pro-Palestine protester for a year, a judge has ruled.
    Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2026
  • As a result, the plaintiffs argued, the administration also violated the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 by failing to consider the harmful environmental impacts of the project.
    Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Cortina Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi received death threats after centuries-old trees were felled to make way for a $131 million bobsledding track.
    The Week US, TheWeek, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Afterward, Agnes and I were felled by the kind of hunger that overtakes only those who have exerted themselves in cold weather.
    Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Anyone with children, grandchildren or family should be outraged at what the fossil fuel industry is going to do to our country.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Spikes in the public charges in the recent past have outraged Connecticut consumers who pay the third highest electric rates in the nation, behind Hawaii and California.
    Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Afterward, as the home stood unguarded, reporters, photographers and others wandered the property, walking to the front door and capturing video of blood drops along the porch.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Sun Ra’s intro wandered, appealingly arrhythmic.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Offended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offended. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on offended

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!