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
Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
But Setrakian claimed California and Texas law protect public officials from defamation claims even in fundraising so long as the offending comments can be reasonably connected to his official duties.
—Will Swaim, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Something seems to be afoot, since the offending robots were operated by two different companies.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
The Defringe option in Affinity improves matters, but the software doesn't have an eyedropper to hone in on the offending shade of magenta.
—Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
But instead of simply coating the offending area with air freshener or lighting a candle to mask the odor, learn how to address unwanted smells at the source.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
The BAFTAs air on a two-hour delay, more than enough time to remove the offending outburst from the broadcast.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Emma wriggled obediently out of the offending articles.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
The owner of the offending Bin Ladin-esque wall earned the money to build said wall thanks to an apparently successful series of books combining New Age quackery and extraterrestrial quackery.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
The person who is the daughter’s supervisor is probably worried about offending the parent who also is her coworker.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
The consequences of offending Miss Manners at this distance are, unfortunately, slight.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
The judge opined that Brigandi’s client, Couvrette, likely drafted the offending documents.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
The cynic in me might argue that having only a rear plate is a result of lobbying by various entities, such as insurance companies, who would be happy to not be able to pay out due to the inability to identify the offending vehicle.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Given all the competition in the airline industry, and choices travelers have, offending anyone is dangerous.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
At the same time, evangelists of a robust atheism—figures such as the biologist Richard Dawkins, the critic Christopher Hitchens, and the neuroscientist Sam Harris—toured the country offending salt-of-the-earth Americans with their contempt for religious belief.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Across the market, streamers appear increasingly reluctant to touch documentaries that risk offending political power centers or their allies.
—Addie Morfoot, IndieWire, 22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The Washington Post, which broke the news, ran the offending word in both its headline and story.
—Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
But Setrakian claimed California and Texas law protect public officials from defamation claims even in fundraising so long as the offending comments can be reasonably connected to his official duties.
—Will Swaim, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Something seems to be afoot, since the offending robots were operated by two different companies.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
The Defringe option in Affinity improves matters, but the software doesn't have an eyedropper to hone in on the offending shade of magenta.
—Michael Muchmore, PC Magazine, 13 Mar. 2026
But instead of simply coating the offending area with air freshener or lighting a candle to mask the odor, learn how to address unwanted smells at the source.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
The BAFTAs air on a two-hour delay, more than enough time to remove the offending outburst from the broadcast.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Emma wriggled obediently out of the offending articles.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
The owner of the offending Bin Ladin-esque wall earned the money to build said wall thanks to an apparently successful series of books combining New Age quackery and extraterrestrial quackery.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Use your quick wit when asking questions to avoid accidentally offending anyone.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2026
The person who is the daughter’s supervisor is probably worried about offending the parent who also is her coworker.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 6 Apr. 2026
The consequences of offending Miss Manners at this distance are, unfortunately, slight.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
The judge opined that Brigandi’s client, Couvrette, likely drafted the offending documents.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026
The cynic in me might argue that having only a rear plate is a result of lobbying by various entities, such as insurance companies, who would be happy to not be able to pay out due to the inability to identify the offending vehicle.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Given all the competition in the airline industry, and choices travelers have, offending anyone is dangerous.
—Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
At the same time, evangelists of a robust atheism—figures such as the biologist Richard Dawkins, the critic Christopher Hitchens, and the neuroscientist Sam Harris—toured the country offending salt-of-the-earth Americans with their contempt for religious belief.
—Elizabeth Bruenig, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Across the market, streamers appear increasingly reluctant to touch documentaries that risk offending political power centers or their allies.
—Addie Morfoot, IndieWire, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending
Adjective
-
Survivors rejected the offer, calling it insulting.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The cast’s sole survivor is Jessica Hecht, who pours miraculous warmth and complexity into her faintly insulting role as Colleen, the head teller, a morally upright spinster goosed by her flirtation with Sonny and the spotlight.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
All of the remaining children were trespassing on the facility, but are not being charged.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
8 Apr. 2026
-
New York State Police have arrested about a dozen people for trespassing there so far this year.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.—
Justin Fishel,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Josett pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors, including unauthorized computer access and fraud; annoying and repeated phone calls; and contempt of court for violating the restraining order.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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The officer’s actions after finding the warrant, while definitely violating the spirit of the act, may actually expose some gray areas in the application of the law, said Tsao, who also works as senior policy counsel for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Aviators — who lost to the Renegades, 28-23, on Sunday — announced after Ginn's arrest that offensive coordinator Todd Haley would handle head coaching duties for the team, per Yahoo Sports.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
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The Cleveland Guardians have also stacked some early wins, overcoming their below-average offensive production thanks to a pitching staff that has been striking out opposing hitters at an incredible rate.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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By 2025, Anderson — then 59 and nearing completion of her bachelor’s degree — was failing classes and falling behind on bills.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says lead paint is falling from six Baltimore-area bridges and contaminating waterways.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Record breaking heat in Baltimore is likely Wednesday and Thursday.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Carlock and Means are masters at fourth-wall-breaking structure and winking, metatextual dialogue, and their ability to balance the goofiness of the series’ diversions with its straightforwardly heartwarming main narrative made each episode a breezy watch.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence software, Grok, continues to generate sexualized images of people without their consent, despite his company’s pledge months ago to halt abusive deepfakes after a public backlash and government investigations.—
David Ingram,
NBC news,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Lee Milne, 40, was sentenced to eight years in prison following his conviction in Glasgow’s High Court for culpable homicide and engaging in abusive behavior.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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