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
Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Taira showed excellent heart and cardio, but ultimately his poor striking defense and underdeveloped offensive striking were too much for the challenger to overcome.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
ABC News, 8 May 2026
The charm offensive was benefited Rubio peppering in a number of jokes during his hourlong appearance.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
But if his hamstring allowed their offensive engine to drive, the offense might not be humming.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Taira showed excellent heart and cardio, but ultimately his poor striking defense and underdeveloped offensive striking were too much for the challenger to overcome.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Noun
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed 72,628 Palestinians and injured 172,520 others, according to the latest figures by Gaza’s Health Ministry.
—ABC News, 8 May 2026
The charm offensive was benefited Rubio peppering in a number of jokes during his hourlong appearance.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
This administration has unleashed a disgusting anti-immigrant agenda.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
Let women be monstrous, disgusting, angry, feral creatures!—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 May 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
-
In that context, current FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s statements that the sport will move to simpler power units by 2031 don’t seem particularly objectionable.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
11 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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