as in insulting
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1
as in trespassing
to commit an offense
since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in outraging
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 violating
to fail to keep
offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offending
Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
By Wednesday afternoon, DHS appears to have taken down the Von-offending video.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
On hotter, stormier worlds, these reactions speed up, drawing more of the offending carbon dioxide into rock.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
For example, coordination with KYB providers can be effective for identifying other telecom assets under the control or ownership of the offending CSP.
—Peter Ford, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The press, however—fearing backlash to its positive depiction of interracial romance—rewrote the conclusion without Grey’s knowledge or consent, killing off Nophaie and the offending prospect of miscegenation.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Second, having quickly been identified by internet bloodhounds, the actual offending Polish paving magnate issued a belligerent non-apology.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
While most scented soaps do a mediocre job of masking food smells with harsh, cheap fragrances, Naomi’s scrub neutralizes offending odors with bread-yeast enzymes, then leaves behind subtle, but incredibly luxurious notes of bergamot, black pepper, sandalwood, and ginger.
—Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
The offending image, this time, was a more recent painting that reimagined the map of India as a naked woman on her knees, city names marking her body.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Is the streamer afraid of offending hate groups by depicting them as hateful and/or groups?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
In New Zealand, murder carries a mandatory life sentence and judges are required to set a prison term of at least 10 years before the offending person can apply for parole, according to the outlet.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Price hikes are almost always unpopular, but unveiling them immediately after offending subscribers, employees, politicians, and celebrities is tone-deaf and horribly timed.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
There was no accessible list of people supposedly celebrating Kirk’s murder, and a submissions portal for offending posts about him remained inactive.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
One assumes there will be widespread debate over the accuracy of Kimmel’s offending comments.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Every year, crews treat about a quarter of the offending streams.
—Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
By Wednesday afternoon, DHS appears to have taken down the Von-offending video.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2025
On hotter, stormier worlds, these reactions speed up, drawing more of the offending carbon dioxide into rock.
—Peter Brannen, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
For example, coordination with KYB providers can be effective for identifying other telecom assets under the control or ownership of the offending CSP.
—Peter Ford, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The press, however—fearing backlash to its positive depiction of interracial romance—rewrote the conclusion without Grey’s knowledge or consent, killing off Nophaie and the offending prospect of miscegenation.
—Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Second, having quickly been identified by internet bloodhounds, the actual offending Polish paving magnate issued a belligerent non-apology.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
When no one in the Fortune 500 wants to risk offending Trump, leave it to Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog to take care of business.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
While most scented soaps do a mediocre job of masking food smells with harsh, cheap fragrances, Naomi’s scrub neutralizes offending odors with bread-yeast enzymes, then leaves behind subtle, but incredibly luxurious notes of bergamot, black pepper, sandalwood, and ginger.
—Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025
The offending image, this time, was a more recent painting that reimagined the map of India as a naked woman on her knees, city names marking her body.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Is the streamer afraid of offending hate groups by depicting them as hateful and/or groups?
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
In New Zealand, murder carries a mandatory life sentence and judges are required to set a prison term of at least 10 years before the offending person can apply for parole, according to the outlet.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
Price hikes are almost always unpopular, but unveiling them immediately after offending subscribers, employees, politicians, and celebrities is tone-deaf and horribly timed.
—Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2025
There was no accessible list of people supposedly celebrating Kirk’s murder, and a submissions portal for offending posts about him remained inactive.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
One assumes there will be widespread debate over the accuracy of Kimmel’s offending comments.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending
Adjective
-
Altman seems to find the question insulting.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
-
To educate all of them in similar ways is insulting, and silly.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On Monday, authorities received reports of a shirtless man trespassing at a residence in Bedias – located about 150 miles south of Alvarado – the previous day, the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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Hundreds of participants have been charged with crimes ranging from trespassing to assault and seditious conspiracy.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In September, Nevada’s Bureau of Water Pollution Control fined the company nearly $250,000 for violating environmental regulations nearly 800 times in the last two years, including for spilling untreated groundwater onto public roads and not reporting it to authorities, ProPublica first reported.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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Council President Joe LaCava simply gave a hand-slap to Surf Cup for violating the deed restrictions, granting it the right to continue with commercial use.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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If Alonso leaves, replacing his offensive production will be another focal point.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The show leans into this offensive, problematic plot device without any self-awareness.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Yet in practice, America is now collecting billions from importers, much of it falling on carbon-intensive goods and places.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His most recent stop before Arkansas was in Baltimore, Maryland, as a night and breaking news editor.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
-
But the breaking bagel news is that Dallas cult favorite Shug’s is in the early stage of planning a west Fort Worth bagel bakery and sandwich shop.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The biopic also stars Ben Foster as the trainer who becomes her abusive husband.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
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At one point during the hearing, Richards pleaded for a tissue and began crying while recalling a particularly abusive event in May.—
Tracy Wright , Christina Dugan Ramirez , Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sheriff’s officials have said Chastain was intoxicated and wandering the neighborhood in the moments before the fatal attack.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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Fall offers perfect weather for wandering through Wilmington's 230-block National Register Historic District, one of the largest in the country.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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