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
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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
as in insulting
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offending
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Linehan shared the allegedly offending X posts on his Substack page.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Stop watering down your message to avoid offending anyone.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In other cases, the rabbinical association has expelled offending rabbis.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
In one corner is Tamra Judge, the hardened veteran, who is peddling a story about being betrayed by someone on the cast, only to be shocked when only half of the women believe her, given her history of offending everyone and then apologizing for it over the years.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Grok is busy offending Twitter users.
—PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Moolah has covered the cost of fines incurred by the All-Star but also expects to receive shoes from its factory produced without the offending logos in the next several weeks.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Ye has spent the majority of this year offending countless groups of people.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
The offending portraits were cited as the cause.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2025
The offending message was removed after it was reported to the Greenwood Police Department.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Democrats and progressives are unsure of much, wary of offending anyone in their coalition, and unclear who will lead them in 2028.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Linehan shared the allegedly offending X posts on his Substack page.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Stop watering down your message to avoid offending anyone.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
In other cases, the rabbinical association has expelled offending rabbis.
—Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
In one corner is Tamra Judge, the hardened veteran, who is peddling a story about being betrayed by someone on the cast, only to be shocked when only half of the women believe her, given her history of offending everyone and then apologizing for it over the years.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Grok is busy offending Twitter users.
—PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
Moolah has covered the cost of fines incurred by the All-Star but also expects to receive shoes from its factory produced without the offending logos in the next several weeks.
—Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Ye has spent the majority of this year offending countless groups of people.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offending
Verb
-
Both entry points require hikers to stay in the riverbed—which is public land according to Texas law—the entire time to avoid trespassing.—
Eva Frederick,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Never dig or trim plants on the other side of the fence, which could be construed as trespassing.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The same phenomenon occurred with insulting researchers.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
2 Sep. 2025
-
In 2021, Lauryn Licari received text messages from an unknown number that were insulting and threatening her relationship with her boyfriend at the time, Owen.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rice was unavailable for Friday’s game, serving the first game of his six-game league suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Bubba is named in the suit, accused of helping to develop the film using Hulk’s trademarks without permission, and of violating a settlement agreement.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This team is once again dealing with turnover at offensive coordinator, with Kevin Patullo promoted over the offseason to replace Kellen Moore, who is now head coach of the Saints.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The same message came Wednesday after another offensive disappearing act.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And customers are falling for it.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Other big stories ➤ The median rent on a one-bedroom Phoenix-area apartment is falling after the region led the nation in price increases in 2021.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Sep. 2025
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The new 12-night journey will launch in the summer of 2027 aboard the company's ice-breaking Le Commandant Charcot ship and is purposely designed to meet demand for a shorter cruise that still celebrates polar exploration, Ponant shared with Travel + Leisure.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The abusive father and violent end were a little above our collective pay grade, and paired very poorly with tea and Girl Scout cookies.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Hsiao-lee’s abusive parents constantly keep her on the edge.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The three of them, dressed in flip-flops and T-shirts, were wandering the streets downtown when a woman in a minivan pulled over to offer them a ride.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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The strangers spend the day wandering down the movie's eponymous street while a vibrant chemistry blossoms between them.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offending. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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