as in insulting
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of offending
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
Washington qualifies for an additional life sentence for re-offending after being released from prison, prosecutors said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Many of the offending cooks got their paperwork in order and fixed their problems after some time.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
According to a separate memo sent to department employees, the return to Times New Roman takes effect Wednesday and all templates for official documents are to be updated to remove the offending Calibri font.
—Matthew Lee, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
Addie Morfoot, IndieWire, 22 Mar. 2026
When acute injury is diagnosed quickly, clinicians can remove offending drugs or add protective ones.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Paramount+ is being very protective of the series’ plot, though before anything really happens, the offending binary is established.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
If a co-worker interrupts a research stretch, calmly propose another time to avoid offending them or messing with your pre-set schedule.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
O'Herrin notes that chopping down the offending tree is not going solve your issue in the long term.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Targeting is forcible contact with an opponent’s head or neck area where the offending player often uses the crown of his helmet to make contact or launches his body into the opposing player above the shoulders.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
British newspapers had not reported on the relationship, and American magazines had offending articles cut out before going on sale.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
When the ejection element was added in 2013, the offending player also had to leave the sideline.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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
Washington qualifies for an additional life sentence for re-offending after being released from prison, prosecutors said.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
Many of the offending cooks got their paperwork in order and fixed their problems after some time.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025
According to a separate memo sent to department employees, the return to Times New Roman takes effect Wednesday and all templates for official documents are to be updated to remove the offending Calibri font.
—Matthew Lee, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
When acute injury is diagnosed quickly, clinicians can remove offending drugs or add protective ones.
—Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
Paramount+ is being very protective of the series’ plot, though before anything really happens, the offending binary is established.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
If a co-worker interrupts a research stretch, calmly propose another time to avoid offending them or messing with your pre-set schedule.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
O'Herrin notes that chopping down the offending tree is not going solve your issue in the long term.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Targeting is forcible contact with an opponent’s head or neck area where the offending player often uses the crown of his helmet to make contact or launches his body into the opposing player above the shoulders.
—Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
British newspapers had not reported on the relationship, and American magazines had offending articles cut out before going on sale.
—ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
When the ejection element was added in 2013, the offending player also had to leave the sideline.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending
Adjective
-
While their insulting jabs at each other make for good laughs, their arc as teammates learning to work together is what gives the film its heart.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Prestianni, who has denied racially insulting Vinícius and has been defended by Benfica, was provisionally suspended for one match by UEFA and did not play in the second leg.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In Florida, trespassing on a construction site is a felony; trespassing on critical infrastructure, however, was almost always a misdemeanor.—
Adam Ciralsky,
Vanity Fair,
19 Mar. 2026
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The city discourages trespassing on private property.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meta must pay $375 million for violating New Mexico law in child exploitation case, jury rules.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
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In its latest report, Human Rights Watch said Israel's tactics of forcible displacement and deliberate targeting of civilians in Lebanon risk violating international law and constitute war crimes.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Current, winners of the NWSL Shield last season, had several more offensive chances than the Stars and put a shot on goal in the first minute of the game.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Hawkeyes upset Florida’s offensive rhythm to force six turnovers in the first eight minutes, while the Gators missed numerous scoring opportunities close to the basket.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Violent crime rates were falling well before the surge, in line with national trends.—
Cleve R. Wootson Jr. The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Swiss stocks show resilience By contrast, UBS said Swiss equities offer less exposure to energy disruptions at an attractive valuation point after falling more than 10% since the start of the conflict.—
Joseph Wilkins,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Oxygen cylinders on the vehicles exploded, breaking windows in an adjacent apartment block.—
KRUTIKA PATHI,
Arkansas Online,
24 Mar. 2026
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Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The allegations against Washington detailed in the emails, which include an incident that one service provider described as abusive, do not appear to illustrate criminal behavior and he has not been charged with any crimes related to the investigation.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2026
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Robert and Michael Bever had killed their parents, who a surviving sister testified were not physically abusive, and three younger siblings.—
Pamela Colloff,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After six months of backpacking, Martha was feeling very Taoist, very detached, just a big naked eyeball wandering around, absorbing all the astonishing things there were to see at the frayed edges of a defunct feudal empire.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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Though the original clip is authentic, showing seven dogs wandering down the side of a highway in northeastern Jilin province, Chinese state media has since debunked the narrative of their escape and journey home.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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