Synonyms of offensive

offensive 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 

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

• disgusting
• ugly
• awful
• horrible
• sickening
• obnoxious
• obscene
• shocking
• hideous
• dreadful
• nasty
• unpleasant
• evil
• repulsive
• revolting
• repugnant
• distasteful
• gross
• odious
• scandalous
• appalling
• foul
• abominable
• loathsome
• abhorrent
• gruesome
• noxious
• terrible
• horrid
• nauseating
• repellent
• horrific
• horrendous
• undesirable
• disturbing
• vile
• noisome
• objectionable
• nauseous
• rancid
• fulsome
• hateful
• unwanted
• disagreeable
• detestable
• monstrous
• despicable
• horrifying
• miserable
• contemptible
• unwholesome
• heinous
• unsavory
• unhealthy
• grim
• atrocious
• unwelcome
• brackish
• unspeakable
• exceptionable
• ghastly
• grisly
• sick
• macabre
• uncivilized
• execrable
• unchristian
• nightmarish
• hard
• dislikable
• lurid
• upsetting
• unholy
• barbarous
• lousy
• frightful
• ungodly
• sickly
• distressing
• off-putting
• sickish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inoffensive
• innocuous
• acceptable
• attractive
• desirable
• pleasant
• sweet
• appealing
• delightful
• delicious
• welcome
• enjoyable
• alluring
• agreeable
• nice
• congenial
• palatable
• gratifying
• felicitous
• heavenly
• pleasurable
• pleasing
• satisfying
• delectable
• likable
• dreamy
• inviting
• savory
• luscious
• blessed
• darling
• unobjectionable
• dulcet
• healthy
• unexceptionable
• wholesome
• healthful
• salutary
• restorative
• salubrious
• delightsome

2

as in obnoxious

provoking or likely to provoke protest

insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obnoxious
• unacceptable
• objectionable
• unpleasant
• terrible
• unwanted
• disgusting
• reprehensible
• undesirable
• obscene
• bad
• exceptionable
• vulgar
• foul
• censurable
• suggestive
• pornographic
• sickening
• disagreeable
• distasteful
• unwelcome
• vile
• infamous
• repulsive
• revolting
• repugnant
• atrocious
• displeasing
• unspeakable
• nasty
• loathsome
• abhorrent
• naughty
• indecent
• perverted
• gross
• miserable
• profane
• repellent
• execrable
• wicked
• lousy
• crude
• indecorous
• unbecoming
• racy
• lewd
• filthy
• coarse
• unprintable
• wretched
• bawdy
• scurrilous
• salty
• lascivious
• smutty
• dirty
• ribald
• off-color
• off
• earthy
• sickish
• debasing
• blameworthy
• blamable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inoffensive
• acceptable
• good
• unobjectionable
• easy
• pleasant
• pretty
• delightful
• delicious
• nice
• agreeable
• enjoyable
• palatable
• congenial
• welcome
• felicitous
• gratifying
• pleasurable
• grateful
• delectable
• satisfying
• pleasing
• dreamy
• blessed
• darling
• proper
• endorsed
• approved
• correct
• promoted
• sanctioned
• decent
• respectable
• exemplary
• supported
• becoming
• decorous
• pure
• encouraged
• creditable
• perfect
• commendable
• relishable
• dulcet
• blameless
• delightsome
• immaculate
• spotless
• politically correct
• abetted
• seemly

offensive

2 of 2

noun

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

• attack
• offense
• assault
• raid
• onslaught
• strike
• aggression
• attempt
• bombardment
• blitzkrieg
• blitz
• rush
• onset
• counterattack
• invasion
• incursion
• barrage
• coup de main
• charge
• bombing
• ambush
• counteroffensive
• descent
• siege
• breakthrough
• envelopment
• sack
• sortie
• air raid
• ambuscade
• foray
• volley
• counterstrike
• pillage
• flanking
• sally
• counteraggression
• counterassault
• fusillade
• cannonade
• salvo
• storm
• hail
• ravage
• whammy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defense
• guard
• defensive
• resistance
• opposition
• security
• shield
• protection
• shelter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of offensive

Adjective

Denying the incident or moving to an offensive posture converts a complaint about a product into a statement about character—and that’s much harder to walk back. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Adebayo and Antetokounmpo do most of their damage offensively inside the three-point line, which raises questions about their offensive fit. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Noun

Their latest offensive reportedly came with direct guidance from Tehran. — Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,264 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026