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
Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
But creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone haven’t exactly been on a MAGA charm offensive lately.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 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
Foreign journalists have been banned from entering Gaza independently since 2023 when Israel launched its offensive in the wake of the Hamas attacks.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
But creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone haven’t exactly been on a MAGA charm offensive lately.
—Peter Kiefer, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
By modern standards, kind of disgusting.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But stepping into that closet was really disgusting.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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So how will Stevie, who shares a bedroom with her obnoxious little brother, Elliot (Elias Janssen), keep the family together?—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
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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
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
-
This was one of the ugliest matches in recent memory; a game that, in isolation, only those fond of trench warfare could love.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
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Things got a little ugly for Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell this week.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Hufanga deemed that first-quarter Jeanty touchdown unacceptable because any touchdown is unacceptable at this point to Denver’s defense.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Gatica was tracked down, arrested on charges of DUI and related offenses, and booked into the Orange County Jail.—
Greg Wehner , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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The Tigers’ offense, which has scored at least 88 points in all three games, erupted for a season-best showing.—
Scott Chasen,
Kansas City Star,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
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 14 Nov. 2025.
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