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
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
Andrea Hill, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offends
Verb
-
Dalio also warned that the most misleading signals come near the top, where easy credit boosts spending, asset prices climb, unemployment falls.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
4 Oct. 2025
-
And if the burden falls on local authorities, the global non-government organization (NGO) predicted annual costs could reach 200 million pounds (about $269 million) by 2035.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the case of Governor Pritzker insults his body, body shamed him.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
-
No matter how many times Putin insults the president and ignores his calls for a total ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump returns for more humiliation.—
Trudy Rubin,
Mercury News,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But others say the law violates the First Amendment rights of counselors wishing to engage in the practice.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Although the ‘9-9-6’ workweek violates Chinese labor laws, it was famously endorsed by Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma in 2019.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Content that outrages, polarizes or triggers anxiety keeps us watching.—
Avital Pardo,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The steering wanders like a distracted Labrador, the ride quality is about as refined as a pogo stick on a gravel driveway, and wind noise makes the cabin sound like you’re trapped inside a tent during a storm.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Adrian wanders off to find Alt-Adrian and discovers a new best friend.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Balenciaga strays away from a more experimental fashion approach the maison has been pushing under Demna, but also under its founder.—
Alex Wynne,
Footwear News,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician whose support was key to Kennedy’s final confirmation, and Senator John Barrasso, a surgeon and the number two Republican in the Senate, who rarely strays from the party line.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offends. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share