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
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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
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Recent Examples of offends
Obviously the blandness of a tan wall offends them.
—
Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offends
Verb
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Lawrence, though, is widely regarded as a top-five player at his position, whereas Greenard falls around 15th among edge rushers in most meaningful metrics.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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The 44% theory Steve Dittmore admits that his research interest, the relationship of athletics and enrollment at small colleges, falls pretty far outside of the mainstream, even in the already-niche world of sports and higher ed.—
Mark Dent,
thehustle.co,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Saariaho never once loses control of momentum and never insults her own tastefulness.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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The information is disseminated even if the allegations were proven false, which violates the officers’ constitutional rights, the lawsuit claims.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Opponents at home also say the change violates Japan’s pacifist constitution and will increase global tensions and threaten the safety of the Japanese people.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This baffles and outrages Angela, a protective mom who, with other parents, pushes back against Gabor using her math classroom as a forum for introducing the outside world’s worst actions.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
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The content outrages some people and delights others; publishing more of it advances the meta discourse that’s been layered on top of the actual news, drawing attention from the unfolding conflict itself.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the clip, Rodrigo wanders through the Palace of Versailles, running from room to room before strapping on a pink guitar and rocking out.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
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The 56-year-old Williams has since found his mind often wanders through hazes of grief to memories of Thomas.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Patel hasn’t been reluctant to fight back against reporting that displeases him.—
David Bauder,
Twin Cities,
23 Apr. 2026
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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
Verb
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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
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God’s likeness, which is our true, spiritual identity, never sins and is never punished.—
Tony Lobl,
Christian Science Monitor,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The film transgresses time to show how greed, faith, desire and the hunger for meaning repeat themselves.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offends. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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