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
as in insulted
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in violated
to fail to keep
offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offended
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
Her comments did not appear to prevent any reporters from asking questions, and Coen did not seem offended.
—Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
By the time Max gets back onboard, he’s offended by Nathan’s apparent insults, and the Jet Ski is still in the water.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
To prevail on a claim an employee’s termination violated public policy, an employee must prove, among other things, that the law the employee claims the employer offended protects the interests of the broader public and not just the employee’s individual interests.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Fearing blackmail and attempting to deny his true leanings, Maurice has been fending off Alec’s advances since their encounter, and now, offended at being rebuffed, Alec has been threatening to publicly expose him.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
But Kelce wasn't offended, The Good Wife alum recalled.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
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
Her comments did not appear to prevent any reporters from asking questions, and Coen did not seem offended.
—Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
By the time Max gets back onboard, he’s offended by Nathan’s apparent insults, and the Jet Ski is still in the water.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
To prevail on a claim an employee’s termination violated public policy, an employee must prove, among other things, that the law the employee claims the employer offended protects the interests of the broader public and not just the employee’s individual interests.
—Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Fearing blackmail and attempting to deny his true leanings, Maurice has been fending off Alec’s advances since their encounter, and now, offended at being rebuffed, Alec has been threatening to publicly expose him.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
But Kelce wasn't offended, The Good Wife alum recalled.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 6 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
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This process can leave both parents and kids feeling at least temporarily lonely, insulted, or rejected.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Even when insulted or thwarted – by Spanish intrigues on the Florida frontier, by British seizures in the Caribbean, by pamphleteers accusing him of being a monarch in disguise – Washington’s tone remained measured.—
Maurizio Valsania,
The Conversation,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The underlying lawsuit, filed in December, alleges that federal officers violated the First and Fourth Amendment rights of six protesters.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The agency conceded that confidential data had been improperly accessed and shared and emphasized that the disclosures violated strict federal laws governing tax return confidentiality.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After a flurry of punches that would have felled a lesser team and coach, the Owls are still standing.—
Ken Sugiura,
AJC.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Antoine’s trees were eventually felled after the plantation changed hands multiple times after the death of enslaver Roman.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Those characterizations outraged his family and Democratic politicians, who pointed to bystander videos showing Pretti helping a woman who had been pushed by an ICE agent and holding only his camera.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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In 2020, top execs joined the chorus of voices outraged by the death of Floyd at the hands of a police officer.—
Lola Murti,Jennifer Elias,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Jacob Roggeveen, a lawyer turned explorer, had wandered about the Pacific with three ships and found nothing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Those who perished include 90-year-old Doreen Ellis, a Crown Heights resident with dementia who wandered out of her apartment into the frigid air Sunday night.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offended.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offended. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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