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

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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

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

Last week, Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a lightning offensive against Yemeni government forces, seizing control of the country’s entire Red Sea coast, including the towns and islands around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 20 Sep. 2026 Last week, in a shock offensive, the Yemeni rebel group known as the Houthis seized territory near the Red Sea’s strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. — Kareem Fahim, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offensive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive

Adjective

The better to act out empire’s idea of what disgusting demonic sickness looks like.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
These guys are disgusting over the radio in the heat of battle.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Noun

Avila said the attack left her with severe injuries to her arm and face, extensive scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
His comments came days after the army chiefs of Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia met in Riyadh to discuss responses to Houthi attacks.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of attack

Adjective

In 2022, the Dolphins were mired in a five-game losing streak late in the season and somehow found a way to scratch out an ugly victory against the New York Jets, 11-6, in the finale to earn a wildcard playoff berth.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
As climate change continues to rear its ugly head, this summer has been particularly brutal for much of the planet.

— Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

The group Save Our Beaches San Clemente, however, says adding more rocks on the coast to protect the railroad is unacceptable.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Russia's demands for Ukraine to surrender its territory, among other things, are unacceptable for Kyiv.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Noun

Another sanctioned defendant, Aslhy Javier Galeano Basurto, has also been charged in Nebraska with conspiring to provide material support to Tren de Aragua and other offenses.

— Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
But while his positive plays are the ones that rightfully garner all the attention, Purdy’s ability to avoid the negative plays with the rest of the offense is topping the charts.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of offense

Adjective

On Saturday in Orlando playing against a Central Florida team that was without its starting quarterback and three other starters, TCU was awful in a 21-13 loss in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2026
Nicky Lopez, Brett Phillips, Tim Hill and Mike Moustakas spent stints in an awful 2024 season that saw the White Sox set an MLB record with 121 losses.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

The male cultivars lack the seedpods that drop in the spring and make the tree objectionable to some homeowners.

— Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2026
There were aspects of the smart-grid law that were objectionable such as provisions that gave state utility regulators next to no say in the level of rate hikes ComEd demanded to make the work happen.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 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 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of offensive

adjective

noun

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