OFFENSIVE Synonyms: 249 Similar and Opposite Words

offensive 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈfen(t)-siv

Definition of offensive

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in obnoxious

provoking or likely to provoke protest insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 offensive

Adjective

In both 2019 and 2021, the Chiefs traded away their first-round pick for help at defensive end and offensive tackle. — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 Kansas coach Lance Leipold and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki know Edwards must remain a central piece of the plan, especially with injuries in the running-back room that include Syracuse transfer Yasin Willis. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

Noun

The rebels shortly after that launched their offensive down the Red Sea coast. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 The trip is part of a broader European charm offensive for Nvidia, and one that comes with a hefty checkbook. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offensive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive

Adjective

Not only has the gimmick run stale, but her insistence on upping the ante year after year, creating costumes that are increasingly bizarre and disgusting, is a threat to us all.

— Tom Smyth, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2026
The actions of their fans, especially their supporter group, was disgusting.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

Dashcam followed in 2021, about an obnoxious content creator on a fateful and terrifying drive, as well as 2023 Stephen King adaptation The Boogeyman.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
As Claudia, Curtis is perfectly biting and obnoxious, willing to insert herself into her ex-husband’s life for sport, stomping on his feeble boundaries.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of obnoxious

Noun

Marshall's campaign, for its part, bet heavily on an attack ad surrounding claims that Hamilton protected a pedophile.

— Grace Hills, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
In the Dnipro area, rescuers pulled a woman alive from the rubble Tuesday morning, after a Russian attack killed one person and wounded 17, local authorities said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of attack

Adjective

The league and its players’ union are heading for an ugly fight, years in the making.

— Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Cooling plates manage heat during normal operation, while passive barriers and electrical isolation are designed to contain the ugly edge cases that Beta’s testing process intentionally triggers.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

William James Middle received its fifth unacceptable rating in a row in the 2025-26 school year.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Not going for it on 4th down, and then settling for a field goal attempt with a 3 point lead is unacceptable!

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Noun

There was a far greater degree of comfort offense, getting back to more pick-and-roll and dribble handoffs.

— Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Lakers scoring phenom Luka Doncic missed his first game of the young season with back tightness, leaving a giant hole in their offense with the NBA’s leading scorer (36 points per game) sitting out.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of offense

Adjective

In Obsession’s most horrifying sequence, the audience senses something awful is about to unfold several beats before the frenzy of blunt-force head trauma actually takes place on screen.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
As Philip awaits trial at home, Lucy processes the shock, too smart to believe this is all some awful misunderstanding.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

Kermode says that for a long time, Warner showed little interest in doing a proper restoration, as the material was still considered highly objectionable.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
The judge also has noted that some of the objectionable stories cited by the DOJ do not have to do with national security.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of objectionable

Browse Nearby Words

offenses

offensive

offensiveness

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Style

“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of offensive

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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