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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obnoxious
provoking or likely to provoke protest
insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of offensive
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 31 May 2026
There hasn’t been a season the past two decades where the Dolphins haven’t needed to use eight, if not nine offensive linemen to start a handful of games.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 31 May 2026
Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026
The offensive killed more than 72,500 people, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
—Shira Pinson, NBC news, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
In Game 7, Oklahoma City was down two of its best offensive creators in the injured Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 31 May 2026
There hasn’t been a season the past two decades where the Dolphins haven’t needed to use eight, if not nine offensive linemen to start a handful of games.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 31 May 2026
Noun
After news of the Stratos data center made headlines, O’Leary went on the offensive, claiming the criticism of his project was the result of foreign interference.
—Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 17 May 2026
The offensive killed more than 72,500 people, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
—Shira Pinson, NBC news, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
This blood and other stuff that blew out on the road is disgusting, and the smell is really awful.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
-
Both are also, objectively speaking, disgusting.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Perhaps folks view Laesch’s behavior as obnoxious or counterproductive or simply not in his lane.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
The Golden Knights are obnoxious.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The first-half diagnosis The strangest part of San Diego’s sophomore season is that the attack has not collapsed.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lemieux was 37, and had a reputation as one of those players who knew where to be, and when, around the ugly areas on the ice in a playoff game.—
Mac Engel
May 29,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
-
We, viewers and voters, are subjected to very ugly photographs and rhetoric.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
What types of answers are unacceptable?—
Prasad Maderamitla,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
If a tool creates unacceptable risk, districts should not use it.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The Red Sox offense as a whole has played better recently.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The California Constitution defines a large number of offenses where bail can be denied outright, among them rape, burglary and arson.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some predict ‘awful consequences’ However, the US has its own specialized network of hospitals that are highly equipped to treat Ebola patients that some experts say would be much better utilized.—
Jamie Gumbrecht,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
-
Lean says the experience had an awful effect on him, filling him with shame and a reluctance to direct again.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Europe’s newfound openness to African industrialization is not because dependency suddenly became morally objectionable, but because Europe increasingly fears dependency itself.—
W. Gyude Moore,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
-
The jokes Che wrote for Jost were no less objectionable.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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