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
Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
With Armstrong out of the mix, 36-year-old Von Miller becomes the point of focus for the Chiefs’ offensive line, a unit that could be without two starters.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2025
Under the accord, Hamas released all living hostages in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees, while Israel pulled back its troops and halted its offensive.
—Jana Choukeir, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
Hingham’s corner defense – and goalie Molly McDonald (10 saves) – did well to stave off seven corners over the next six minutes, but relentless offensive pressure eventually set up Khloe Schultz for a hard drive and a 2-0 lead with 6:14 left in the first.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
With Armstrong out of the mix, 36-year-old Von Miller becomes the point of focus for the Chiefs’ offensive line, a unit that could be without two starters.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
During the offensive, El Fasher has been cut off from the outside world.
—Camilla Alcini, ABC News, 31 Oct. 2025
Under the accord, Hamas released all living hostages in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and wartime detainees, while Israel pulled back its troops and halted its offensive.
—Jana Choukeir, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
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That would probably be the most disgusting kind.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Continue reading … 'DISGUSTING' – Jen Psaki jokes Usha Vance scared of her husband, ripped for 'disgusting' comments.—
,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Various new characters join in on the fun, including Chris Elliott’s Riff Raff-style butler and Tori Spelling’s obnoxious try-hard friend, Alex.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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An art conservator who'd prefer to be immersed in detail work, Sarah is bombing as the host of a dinner party where her entrepreneur husband (Tom Riley) hopes to impress an obnoxious prospective investor (Tom Goodman-Hill) when a literal explosive goes off in her neighborhood.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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All three nuclear powers have established their own nuclear triad, consisting of ICBMs, submarines armed with ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable aircraft, which ensure their forces can survive a first strike and retaliate, thereby deterring a nuclear attack.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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But in the final weeks of the race, both campaigns traded personal attacks.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The long-range scoring of Sandell and Thomas provided the night’s most memorable moments, but Mateer helped pace the offense after an ugly 99-yard first half, racking up 252 yards in the second.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Advertisement Ugly sentiments deserve ugly art, though Jude takes a nuanced stance on this matter.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Denying people the essentials necessary for their survival, to obtain compliance or a political agreement, should be unacceptable.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
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Controversy arose earlier this year after residents, a council member and the mayor declared a cooling station set up for homeless residents and others without adequate heating and cooling as unacceptable.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some 51,527 knife crime offenses were recorded by forces in England and Wales in the previous 12 months up until June 2025, according to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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The Boise State offense started uncharacteristically slowly at home on Saturday anyway, going three-and-out on two drives with Madsen, for minus-6 yards.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Pelicans have gotten off to an awful start, boasting an NBA-worst 0-6 record.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Humans can be awful, is one answer.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Why is this behavior objectionable to you?—
NPR,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
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Again, nothing objectionable about that on the surface, but the targets of potential prosecution hardly suggest an even-handed approach.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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