1
as in falls
to commit an offense
since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in insults
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 violates
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of offends
If that language offends you — come on.
—
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 2026
If one employee offends another, they are fired on the spot.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
To admit what hurts, agitates, and offends us in fact illuminates what is complicated and good in us.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
The Intel case offends two basic economic truths.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Think of the chatbots that enrage customers, copy that erases brand voice, email that offends prospects, or sales outreach that overwhelms without engaging.
—Andrea Hill, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 2026
If one employee offends another, they are fired on the spot.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
To admit what hurts, agitates, and offends us in fact illuminates what is complicated and good in us.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
The Intel case offends two basic economic truths.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Think of the chatbots that enrage customers, copy that erases brand voice, email that offends prospects, or sales outreach that overwhelms without engaging.
—Andrea Hill, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offends
Verb
-
March falls within the start of strawberry season, so what better way to honor the juicy fruit than to wear them on your nails.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
-
As the share of its imports coming from China falls and Southeast Asian countries pick up the slack, shipments are spending more days in transit time, bringing pressure from retailers to make that up at the docks.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The paddling comes as revenge for multiple times Marty insults the businessman throughout the movie.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
26 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Announcing a voter’s party preference out loud violates that rule.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Feb. 2026
-
But in January last year, the South African parliament approved a land Expropriation Act, which critics say violates that constitution.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The thing that outrages, the thing that shocks, the thing that elicits the greatest response, and the greatest response of all of those emotional reactions is outrage, is fear, is shock, is anger.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
31 Dec. 2025
-
Content that outrages, polarizes or triggers anxiety keeps us watching.—
Avital Pardo,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In Virgil’s epic, Aeneas wanders after the fall of Troy, searching for a new homeland.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Albers said that if a dog wanders too close to a coyote den during puppy season and a territorial adult coyote is at home, the encounter may not end well for the house pet.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cue the rattling of sabers and gnashing of teeth — until a deal is done that pleases (and displeases) both parties.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Dec. 2025
-
But the corporate chiefs also know that Trump is a vengeful man with the power to target anyone who speaks out against him, or any business that displeases him.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
26 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
John DeWitt, the four-star general who oversaw the internment program, in particular, seems to be a forerunner to some of America's worst errors, paranoia, sins.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Becket questions some of his actions from time to time but never really strays from the path.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Developed by Fox Estates—which also holds the listing—and designed by Studio MTN, the home intentionally strays from typical clichés, forgoing the rustic vibes of classic mountain properties in favor a softer, more restrained style.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offends. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
