Synonyms of offending

offending 1 of 2

adjective

as in insulting

Related Words

• insulting
• offensive
• abusive
• outrageous
• affronting
• opprobrious
• vitriolic
• invective
• scurrilous
• vituperative
• indecent
• outraging
• contumelious
• filthy
• obscene
• gross
• truculent
• vulgar
• foul
• crude
• coarse
• dirty
• foulmouthed
• vituperatory
• contemptuous
• defamatory
• scandalous
• scornful
• potty-mouthed
• malicious
• disdainful
• scurrile
• slanderous
• libelous
• hateful
• nasty
• vilifying
• maligning
• malevolent
• spiteful
• traducing
• unbridled
• immoderate
• intemperate
• unrestrained

Dissimilar Words

• moderate
• civil
• respectful
• temperate
• deferential
• polite
• courteous
• judicious
• gracious
• discreet
• tempered
• laudatory
• mannerly
• encomiastic
• praiseful
• laudative

offending

2 of 2

verb

present participle of offend

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

• trespassing
• falling
• wandering
• straying
• sinning
• erring
• transgressing
• violating
• infringing
• breaking the law
• breaching
• falling from grace
• lapsing
• backsliding
• breaking
• messing up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• justifying
• forgiving
• pardoning
• regretting
• repenting
• ruing

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

• insulting
• outraging
• taunting
• upsetting
• affronting
• slapping
• disrespecting
• wounding
• displeasing
• hurting
• disturbing
• mocking
• troubling
• slighting
• distressing
• dissing
• ridiculing
• snubbing
• torturing
• tormenting
• jeering
• defaming
• maligning
• disparaging
• oppressing
• cutting
• libeling
• smearing
• slandering
• paining
• persecuting
• reviling
• slurring
• sneering (at)
• miffing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approving
• applauding
• praising
• hailing
• complimenting
• commending
• acclaiming
• eulogizing
• honoring
• flattering
• gratifying
• exalting
• glorifying
• pleasing
• satisfying
• delighting
• adulating
• sweet-talking

3

as in violating

to fail to keep

offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code

Synonyms & Similar Words

• violating
• breaking
• breaching
• contravening
• transgressing
• fracturing
• infringing (on or upon)
• traducing
• ignoring
• disobeying
• disregarding
• neglecting
• dismissing
• rebelling
• flouting
• resisting
• slighting
• overlooking
• brushing (off)
• scorning
• passing over
• blowing off
• tuning out
• winking (at)
• withstanding
• defying
• overpassing
• shrugging off
• pooh-poohing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• following
• observing
• conforming (to)
• complying (with)
• serving
• obeying
• submitting (to)
• yielding (to)
• regarding
• hearing
• marking
• listening (to)
• attending
• watching
• noting
• noticing
• minding
• surrendering (to)
• deferring (to)
• heeding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of offending

Adjective

The sheriff said the jail places strong emphasis on inmate programs designed to reduce re-offending. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

When physical aggression is directed at White players such as Cunningham or Caitlin Clark, commentators have repeatedly shown a willingness to search for explanations that soften the actions of the offending player. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Trump struck the offending clauses and blamed Cohn for having crafted them. — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

The offending stories, according to the Times, focused on security concerns surrounding the new luxurious Air Force One jet, a gift from the Qatari government. — David Folkenflik, NPR, 23 July 2026

The company is still carrying out a voluntary recall of the offending greens, a move first announced on Friday. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 22 July 2026

As a bald eagle named Indy occasionally screeched at an offending hawk that flew overheard, speakers talked about the time capsule as a message to future generations about Americans’ hopes, values and lives in 2025. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026

Occasionally, some nitwit will play chicken with the offending lane changer, get in front of him or her, and stop the car in the middle of the road to continue with verbal and nonverbal critique of the offender’s driving skills. — Oc Register, 18 May 2026

Charles has since apologized and deleted the offending TikTok, but the controversy continues, igniting social media discourse. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Verb

DeChatelet, an acting instructor at Florida Atlantic University, uses his halting speech to depict a person who’s afraid of offending anyone. — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026

The offending text directed any AI system reviewing the document to ensure textual outputs agreed with the plaintiff’s arguments, ignored prior denials from the court, and ensured that remediation would follow as the plaintiff desired. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026

Reporting the name of the centerfielder in The Sun so incensed the offending player’s mother, Bertman wondered if such coverage was really necessary? — Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026

No woman or girl should have to give up her right to bodily privacy and safety to avoid offending a man. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026

O’Herrin notes that chopping down the offending tree is not going solve your issue in the long term. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

Organizations often overlook early warning signs because the offending individual delivers strong business results. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

That feels easy enough to follow, particularly when breaking the rule risks offending Zeus, the god of foreigners. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Slowing everything down can keep the offending germ—and the toxins some produce—in your gut longer, rather than helping your body clear it. — Angela Haupt, Time, 15 July 2026