1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
I find your disrespectful attitude toward religion very offensive the smell of rotting food is quite offensive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obnoxious
provoking or likely to provoke protest
insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of offensive
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
In addition to forming a formidable tandem with defensive partner Brent Seabrook, Keith was an offensive X-factor for the Hawks.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Its current leadership, while vocal about transformation, hasn’t shown credible evidence of regaining the offensive.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
Pro Football Focus gave Ward the best offensive grade among quarterbacks with 100 or more dropbacks (92.9) and the second-best passing grade (91.7).
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
In addition to forming a formidable tandem with defensive partner Brent Seabrook, Keith was an offensive X-factor for the Hawks.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Noun
His fear of being perceived as an indecisive leader may have pushed him — after weeks of reportedly telling Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he would not get dragged into the conflict — to join Israel’s military offensive against Iran’s nuclear sites.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Its current leadership, while vocal about transformation, hasn’t shown credible evidence of regaining the offensive.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
Republicans seem to try to outdo each other to see who can be the most hateful and disgusting.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2025
-
First came the disgusting pictures of waters so fouled that they were often compared to rotting guacamole.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Duncan’s crew includes obnoxious head of security Bobby Atwater (Ed Skrein), Haitian co-pilot LeClerc (Bechir Sylvain) and deckhand Nina (Philippine Velge).—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 June 2025
-
With the help of the chemical solanine, tomatoes deter obnoxious asparagus beetles, which, can do harm to asparagus plants.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Noun
-
In the far-western Lviv region, a large fire broke out at an industrial facility in the city of Drohobych after a drone attack that also cut electricity to parts of the city.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
29 June 2025
-
Videos posted on Telegram show a large fire near Kremenchuk after the attack.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
The wild and ugly scenes saw rioters attack law enforcement with rocks and Molotov cocktails while others burned vehicles and other property.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
-
The pair hit an ugly double-spinebuster on the Arabic announce table.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, an unacceptable state of affairs persists.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
-
The latest version of a controversial bill that would require the sale of federal land to pay for tax cuts limits the scope of Bureau of Land Management property eligible for sale, but remains unacceptable to hunting, fishing, and conservation leaders.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Healthcare facilities that serve low-income patients have reported a recent spike in no-shows as residents lacking documentation opt to skip medical visits amid rumors of raids at hospitals and clinics.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
25 June 2025
-
This Pride month, in the face of a U.S. administration that is targeting the community and with immigration raids as a backdrop, actions like his have become more important than ever.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vogue,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
What’s more, the Steelers failed to score a first-drive touchdown all season, were awful in the red zone, were awful on first down, and mostly awful in short yardage.—
Tribune Content Agency,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 June 2025
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Outcomes for what’s referred to as ‘children in care’ remain unacceptably awful.—
Avivah Wittenberg-Cox,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
And the government routinely prosecuted people for saying things, or for producing art, that regulators or law enforcement found objectionable.—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
27 June 2025
-
Costumes can’t be offensive, violent or objectionable (even if that sounds like a deadringer description of Deadpool).—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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