offense

1 a breaking of a moral or legal code wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity Synonyms breach, crime, debt, error, lawbreaking, malefaction, misdeed, misdoing, sin, transgression, trespass, violation, wrongdoing Related Words bias crime, hate crime; felony, misconduct, misdemeanor, misfeasance; fault, foible, peccadillo; break, infringement; immorality, iniquitousness, iniquity, sinfulness, vice, wickedness; corruption, debauchery, depravity, licentiousness; abuse, criminality, illegality, lawlessness, unlawfulness; descent, downfall, fall Near Antonyms blamelessness, faultlessness, guiltlessness, impeccability, innocence, irreproachability; goodness, morality, righteousness, virtue, virtuousness Antonyms noncrime

2 the act or action of setting upon with force or violence combat casualties grew enormously as the weapons of offense became far more technologically advanced than defensive armor Synonyms aggression, assault, attempt, blitz, blitzkrieg, charge, coup de main, descent, attack (or offence), offensive, onset, onslaught, raid, rush, strikeRelated Words ambuscade, ambush; counteraggression, counterassault, counterattack, counteroffensive, counterstrike; sally, sortie; envelopment, flanking; breakthrough, foray, incursion, invasion; pillage, ravage, sack; air raid, bombardment, bombing; siege, storm; barrage, cannonade, fusillade, hail, salvo, volley; whammyNear Antonyms defense, defensive, guard, shield; opposition, resistance; protection, security, shelter

3 an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings a diplomat never deliberately gives offense Synonyms affront, barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, dis (also diss) [slang], epithet, gird, indignity, name, insult (or offence), outrage, personality, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slap, slight, slurRelated Words catcall, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, quip, sneer, taunt; abuse, invective, vituperation; disapproval, opprobrium; disgrace, dishonor, shame; attack, criticism, knock, slam, swipe; torment, tortureNear Antonyms accolade, commendation, compliment; acclaim, applause, praise; adulation, flattery

4 the feeling of being offended or resentful after a slight or indignity my mother was prone to take offense even at the most innocent remark Synonyms dudgeon, huff, miff, pique (or offence), peeve, resentment, umbrageRelated Words aggravation, anger, annoyance, bother, botheration, discomfort, exasperation, frustration, grief, irritation, vexation; agitation, angriness, displeasure, distress, disturbance, indignation, irateness, ire, outrage, perturbation, upset; dander, temper; fit, pet, pouts, sulk(s), tantrum, tizzy; affront, barb, brickbat, dig, indignity, insult, put-down, slap, slight, slurNear Antonyms satisfaction; appeasement, mollification, pacification; contentment, delight, gratification, happiness, pleasure