OFFENSES Synonyms: 192 Similar and Opposite Words

offenses

noun

variants or offences

plural of offense

as in crimes

a breaking of a moral or legal code wartime offenses that are crimes against all of humanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in assaults

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 & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in insults

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings a diplomat never deliberately gives offense

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in angers

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 & 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 offenses Violent crime is practically non-existent, with just 110 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2024. — Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2026 Many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, such as traffic violations, according to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. — Mathew Miranda july 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026 Depending on the circumstances, charges could include incitement to riot, vandalism, theft, assault, reckless driving, unlawful assembly, conspiracy and other offenses, police said. — Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 July 2026 Traditionally, this has covered offences committed while on duty, or against a member of the US military or their dependents. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 8 July 2026 Arshpal Singh, 33, was arrested on suspicion of the two misdemeanor offenses, multiple law enforcement sources confirmed. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 One interesting trend is that this tournament will feature some very good tight ends, a position that has become increasingly important in college football and the NFL but not so much in high school football in the era of spread offenses. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 Cavalli was not using this as a racial slur, but plenty of black athletes have used it to demean white people without the league getting involved, without suspensions, and zero fines for their offenses. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 The offenses are said to have taken place between 1978 and 1981 in Kensington, London. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offenses

Noun

Here’s a look back at the most infamous, shocking, blood-curdling or mysterious crimes and disasters that captured the attention of the nation — and the world.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
After this article was published, the Department of Homeland Security’s media office sent a statement listing the criminal histories of Morffi and Rodriguez and explaining that their green cards were revoked due to their crimes.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of crimes

Noun

The lethality of the Russian assaults on Kyiv in the past week displays the challenge Ukraine faces in protecting its capital as Russia innovates and steps up its attacks.

— Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Rubicon focuses on targeting Ukrainian drone crews, electronic warfare systems and logistics routes located 10 to 40 kilometers behind the front, rather than directly supporting assaults, according to Lee and Putiata.

— David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

Hurling insults and a general dismissiveness is in, or at least tolerated.

— Steve Buckley, New York Times, 2 July 2026
But back in February when the court ruled against him on tariffs, the president held an angry White House press conference, calling the conservative justices who sided against him disloyal among other insults.

— Tamara Keith, NPR, 1 July 2026

Definition of insults

Noun

Rewarding The Long-Term Customer One of the most common frustrations in telecom is the belief that new customers get the best deals while long-term customers are left behind.

— Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Recent allegations of irregularities in government recruitment exams have only deepened frustrations among some young Indians.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of frustrations

Noun

The agency had found six violations of state code by the company after detainees complained about a lack of protective equipment and proper training while cleaning the facility for $1 per day.

— Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
The German predator network managed to thrive despite clear violations of Telegram’s terms of service, again raising questions about how the platform has been used for criminal activity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of violations

Noun

The United States also revoked a license for Iran to sell oil in response to a series of attacks on the commercial vessels that the regime has not taken responsibility for.

— Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 8 July 2026
This appears to be one of Kyiv's deepest attacks on Russian territory since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 July 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

Look, of the outrages, these are like the least among them, as far as being upset with the administration, with the president.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 June 2026
More recently, Tandy Hills experienced issues with ATVs being driven through the park and damaging wildflowers, sparking outrages on social media from people who demanded the city take action.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Mar. 2026

Definition of outrages

Noun

In the series, an adaptation of Spanish play El chico de la última fila by Juan Mayorga, Mun-oh has resigned himself to a life of quiet resentments, until Lee Kang (Weak Hero Class' Choi Hyun-wook) comes along.

— Kayti Burt, Time, 26 June 2026
Better that there be no resentments about money, better that Adele learn that rash decisions had lasting costs.

— Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Definition of resentments

Browse Nearby Words

offense

offenses

offensive

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Offenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offenses. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of offenses

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on offenses

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

implacable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes