Synonyms of offensive

offensive 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈfen(t)-siv 

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

• disgusting
• ugly
• awful
• horrible
• sickening
• obscene
• shocking
• hideous
• obnoxious
• dreadful
• nasty
• unpleasant
• evil
• repulsive
• revolting
• repugnant
• distasteful
• gross
• odious
• foul
• scandalous
• appalling
• abominable
• loathsome
• abhorrent
• gruesome
• noxious
• terrible
• horrid
• nauseating
• horrific
• repellent
• horrendous
• undesirable
• disturbing
• vile
• noisome
• objectionable
• nauseous
• rancid
• fulsome
• repellant
• hateful
• unwanted
• disagreeable
• monstrous
• detestable
• horrifying
• despicable
• miserable
• contemptible
• unwholesome
• heinous
• unsavory
• grim
• unhealthy
• atrocious
• unwelcome
• brackish
• unspeakable
• exceptionable
• sick
• ghastly
• grisly
• dislikeable
• macabre
• uncivilized
• hard
• execrable
• unchristian
• nightmarish
• dislikable
• upsetting
• lurid
• unholy
• barbarous
• lousy
• frightful
• ungodly
• sickly
• off-putting
• distressing
• sickish
• grewsome

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inoffensive
• innocuous
• acceptable
• attractive
• desirable
• pleasant
• sweet
• appealing
• delightful
• delicious
• welcome
• enjoyable
• alluring
• agreeable
• nice
• congenial
• palatable
• gratifying
• felicitous
• pleasurable
• heavenly
• pleasing
• satisfying
• delectable
• likable
• likeable
• dreamy
• inviting
• savory
• luscious
• blessed
• savoury
• darling
• unobjectionable
• blest
• dulcet
• healthy
• unexceptionable
• wholesome
• healthful
• salutary
• restorative
• salubrious
• delightsome

2

as in obnoxious

provoking or likely to provoke protest

insensitive, offensive remarks about the plight of the homeless

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obnoxious
• unacceptable
• objectionable
• unpleasant
• terrible
• unwanted
• disgusting
• undesirable
• reprehensible
• obscene
• bad
• vulgar
• foul
• censurable
• exceptionable
• suggestive
• pornographic
• sickening
• disagreeable
• distasteful
• unwelcome
• vile
• infamous
• repulsive
• revolting
• repugnant
• atrocious
• displeasing
• nasty
• unspeakable
• naughty
• loathsome
• abhorrent
• indecent
• gross
• perverted
• miserable
• profane
• repellent
• execrable
• wicked
• lousy
• crude
• indecorous
• unbecoming
• racy
• lewd
• filthy
• coarse
• unprintable
• wretched
• repellant
• bawdy
• scurrilous
• salty
• lascivious
• dirty
• smutty
• off-color
• ribald
• off
• off-colored
• sickish
• earthy
• debasing
• blameworthy
• blamable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inoffensive
• acceptable
• good
• unobjectionable
• easy
• pleasant
• pretty
• delightful
• delicious
• nice
• agreeable
• enjoyable
• palatable
• congenial
• welcome
• felicitous
• gratifying
• pleasurable
• grateful
• delectable
• satisfying
• pleasing
• dreamy
• blessed
• darling
• endorsed
• proper
• approved
• correct
• promoted
• sanctioned
• decent
• blest
• respectable
• exemplary
• supported
• becoming
• decorous
• pure
• encouraged
• creditable
• perfect
• commendable
• relishable
• dulcet
• blameless
• delightsome
• immaculate
• indorsed
• spotless
• politically correct
• abetted
• seemly

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

• attack
• raid
• offense
• assault
• onslaught
• strike
• attempt
• offence
• bombardment
• aggression
• blitzkrieg
• blitz
• rush
• onset
• counterattack
• invasion
• incursion
• barrage
• coup de main
• charge
• bombing
• ambush
• descent
• counteroffensive
• siege
• breakthrough
• sack
• envelopment
• sortie
• air raid
• ambuscade
• foray
• volley
• counterstrike
• pillage
• flanking
• sally
• counteraggression
• counterassault
• fusillade
• cannonade
• salvo
• storm
• hail
• ravage
• whammy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• defense
• guard
• defensive
• resistance
• opposition
• security
• shield
• protection
• shelter

Examples of offensive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

On Monday, a U.S. official said another U.S. destroyer had moved into the eastern Mediterranean, bolstering offensive and defensive missile capabilities in the region. —Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Aug. 2024

He also can be heard saying a slur that is offensive to the LGBTQ+ community. —Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 13 Aug. 2024

Noun

If it were based on numbers, then the World War II Allies would have perpetrated genocide in Germany, where their forces killed 300,000 to 400,000 civilians in air operations alone, even apart from loss of life that occurred during ground offensives. —Eli M. Rosenbaum, New York Daily News, 11 Aug. 2024

Abdel Kareem Hana / AP More than 1.9 million of Gaza's prewar population of 2.3 million have been driven from their homes, fleeing repeatedly across the territory to escape offensives. —CBS News, 10 Aug. 2024