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
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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
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
Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
On Day 2 of the draft, the Vikings chose 6-8, 320-pound offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan from Northwestern.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
You are not allowed to bring idols for worship, religious material offensive to Islam, pork, or pork products into the country.
—Shradha Shahani, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the offensive MVP after completing 16 of 27 passes for 186 yards and rushing for an iconic 12-yard touchdown.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
On Day 2 of the draft, the Vikings chose 6-8, 320-pound offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan from Northwestern.
—Charley Walters, Twin Cities, 2 May 2026
Noun
Scientists in Florida have launched a new offensive against the Burmese python invasion, this time using opossums, one of the giant snake’s favorite prey.
—Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
You are not allowed to bring idols for worship, religious material offensive to Islam, pork, or pork products into the country.
—Shradha Shahani, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
What a disgusting story all around.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Making a disgusting joke about assassinating the President #2.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether the obnoxious popup will end up being a wise move for the company is anything but clear.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Good firm with good people to work with, meaningful and intellectually stimulating work, satisfied and not-overly-obnoxious clients.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In recent years, a litany of violent, seemingly unprovoked attacks across Metro led to the deaths or severe injury of several passengers—a confirmation of Angelenos’ worst fears about the system.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
According to the Qataris, two Iranian ballistic missiles and three drone attacks led to the injury of three people in the Gulf nation.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The scene Tuesday was beyond ugly.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
Culturally, the word is synonymous with ugly, not just for the ways lesbians defy traditional gender roles in the popular imagination but for their disinclination toward and unavailability to men.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Our current contractor’s price proposal and timeline to finish the bridge was unreasonable and unacceptable.—
Katie Thomson,
Baltimore Sun,
6 May 2026
-
What happened was unacceptable.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The lack of offense wasted a nice job from the Angels’ bullpen after starter Reid Detmers had a frustrating outing.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
-
This week the offense added to that tally, with three consecutive walk-off wins and a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds.—
Claire Malon,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
And there was going to be an awful lot of emotional resonance and relatability with today’s generation of young women with Mary Bennet, more so than there would be [with Elizabeth Bennet.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
7 May 2026
-
The mother-haver at Forster’s school could never trust in the safety of his awful secret.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
But mostly the dismissal of Hathaway’s grand clownery in this was transferred hatred for the objectionable movie itself.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Among the art conservatives found objectionable was artist Andres Serrano’s photograph titled Piss Christ featuring a plastic crucifix in a tawny liquid the artist described as his own urine.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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