offensive 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈfen(t)-siv How to pronounce offensive (audio)
Definition of offensivenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obnoxious
provoking or likely to provoke protest insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless

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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
Houston’s three outfielders totaled one hit in 10 at-bats, continuing the group’s gruesome offensive season. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 July 2026 Aguirre removed Quiñones in favor or taller options, but Mexico never recovered from the loss of offensive creativity. — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Noun
Minnesota, having already scored on a Byron Buxton double, continued its first-inning offensive when Kody Clemens, son of Roger, launched a two-run homer. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026 In an interview with a state television reporter, Putin said Ukraine had proposed a mutual halt to long-range strikes as a step toward peace, but said Russia rejected the offer and would continue pressing its battlefield offensive. — Elmira Aliieva, NBC news, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
  1. disgusting
  2. obnoxious
  3. attack
  4. ugly
  5. unacceptable
  6. offense
  7. awful
  8. objectionable
Adjective
  • Noah Kahan is speaking out about a disgusting habit picked up by some music fans.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • French broadcaster French Pierron was under fire for calling childbirth 'a disgusting moment.
    — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • And, for all the theater of the hearing and Wyper’s expressions of sympathy with aldermen, the Stonepeak executive didn’t offer any meaningful concessions to make this obnoxious meter deal more palatable for Chicagoans.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
  • The song’s spacious production lets its piercing saxophone riffs dissipate into silence, only for borderline obnoxious horns to swirl them back into rhythm.
    — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026
Definition of obnoxious
Noun
  • The British Army also provided protection from attacks by Native American tribes, giving many settlers little reason to support a rebellion.
    — Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Twice in recent days, the United States has launched retaliatory strikes on Iran following drone attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of attack
Adjective
  • Lasko’s teammate, Devin Taylor, was able to get up and field the rolling ball that split the two defenders, but Lasko stayed on the ground in what was a pretty ugly crash.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • His ability to perform a cesarean section — something Doc couldn't dream of — forces the town to reckon with an ugly part of their collective conscience.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • In their grievance letter, the detainees called the markups an unacceptable business practice with no apparent limit.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Overt racial prejudice, long considered socially unacceptable, is increasingly visible in public life, marking a shift from previously subtle forms.
    — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Noun
  • Five of the men face up to three years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000, prosecutors said, while Castorena faces up to six years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000 due to a prior strike offense.
    — Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Under the law, moral offenses — including adultery and same-sex relations — can carry penalties of up to 100 lashes.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of offense
Adjective
  • One year Pippa Middleton faced the awful shame of having to sit in a normal seat after showing up late.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Sugar is at the forensic lab with the corpse of a man who looks an awful lot like Ji Moon but isn’t Ji Moon (courtesy of Shea Whigham as Tom Flybjerg).
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 June 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • Actual theater buildings were built in Hartford and elsewhere in the 1790s but couldn’t overcome the formidable opposition of those who still considered theater to be a highly objectionable artform.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
  • The list, however, does not provide images of the content that NPS found objectionable.
    — Deena Zaru, ABC News, 18 June 2026
Definition of objectionable

Browse Nearby Words

offenses
offensive
offensiveness
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Cite this Entry

“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on offensive

Nglish: Translation of offensive for Spanish Speakers

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