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

Relevance

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

This is a young team, and their two primary offensive spark plugs are one of the younger duos in the league. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Slowik, who was part of Miami’s offensive staff last season while working for McDaniel, is aware of what Wright and Gordon bring to the team, their strengths and weaknesses, and intends to cater the offense to those. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

Noun

With alarm bells ringing over potential Russian offensives — both digital and kinetic — in the coming months, vulnerable European nations must figure out if, and how, to respond. — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 28 Sep. 2026 Rebel forces in the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray launched a major offensive against the government, ending a four-year ceasefire that had halted a gruesome conflict. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for offensive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive

Adjective

People tend to think of waste as trash, sewage, slag, manure and other seemingly useless or disgusting substances.

— Edward D. Melillo, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026
The better to act out empire’s idea of what disgusting demonic sickness looks like.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Noun

In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
An inmate died in an apparent homicide Tuesday morning after an attack by another prisoner at California State Prison, Sacramento, state corrections officials said.

— Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Adjective

That's on the heels of a 41-7 blowout at Northwestern that was ugly enough for Deion Sanders to dismiss a handful of players for conduct detrimental to the team days later.

— Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
In a world where (good, bad and ugly) answers and options are available, an employer needs a workforce that understands the business objectives and can weed through the noise to identify and execute the best solution.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

With a team that has a margin of error as small as the Dolphins, these penalties are unacceptable.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Likewise, the underlying crisis of commercially unacceptable risk in the Strait isn’t anywhere close to being resolved.

— David Faris, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of unacceptable

Noun

The young defense, which dominated the NFC’s worst offense statistically in Minnesota, will continue to get tested.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
In addition to an explosive offense that was top 10 in both home runs and slugging percentage during the regular season, the White Sox have employed a unique pitching strategy, relying heavily on their relievers to throw multiple innings.

— Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of offense

Adjective

With betrayal, lies, backstabbing and a cast of exceptionally objectionable characters, reality TV has all the ingredients for a great thriller novel.

— L.M. Chilton, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of objectionable

Browse Nearby Words

offenses

offensive

offensiveness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

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

Copy Citation

Synonyms of offensive

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

etiquette

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes