OFFENSIVENESS Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

offensiveness

noun

Definition of offensiveness

as in repulsiveness

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of offensiveness But Hokit’s offensiveness in the shadow of the president’s home — with the Washington Monument visible to the south — was one indication that anything and everything was inbounds. — Oskar Garcia, New York Times, 15 June 2026 During this period, Dhillon moved away from the Review’s gleeful offensiveness toward positions suggesting a more moderate conservatism. — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026 The push came amid concerns about the offensiveness of the name. — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2025 There was a Lynchian quality to the podcast, a fun-house-size absurdism that offset its overt offensiveness. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025 But Vanderbilt framed its investigation around offensiveness, not professional ethics—and offensiveness is not itself grounds for investigation. — Jonathan Marks, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensiveness

Noun

In this attitude was a strange commingling of repugnance and desire, alienation and belonging, intimacy and coldness.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 July 2026
In fact, the retort could lead people to dangerously belittle the scourge and repugnance of real anti-Semitism.

— Salam Fayyad, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2024

Definition of repugnance

Noun

The match ended 1-1 (guess who scored for France), Italy won a penalty shootout 5-3, and Zidane’s moment of uncontrolled rage entered sporting infamy.

— Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 28 July 2026
After serving seven years, Fisher was released and used her infamy to enter the world of adult entertainment.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of infamy

Noun

Accustomed to Miller saving them, other Padres may have saved themselves some unpleasantness by sweeping the Marlins in three road games and now the Rockies in two.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026
The unpleasantness of 1982 aside, the rivalry between England and Argentina is one of the most enduring in international sports.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 14 July 2026

Definition of unpleasantness

Noun

Despite initially losing consciousness herself as a result of the explosion, Maria still vividly remembered the atrocity when recounting it to the Museum of Civilian Voices.

— Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
The finale, which opens with Max pausing to observe a small courtesy before committing an atrocity on Crystal’s houseboat, closes with the Bowdens reaching for ordinary family life after surviving an atrocity of their own.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026

Definition of atrocity

Noun

Sustainable credentials are also on point, with PFAS-free water repellency, ethically sourced suede uppers, and an outsole made from post-consumer plastic and agricultural waste.

— Chris Haslam, Wired News, 24 May 2026
Ridestore subjects materials to failure testing during both development and production, evaluating bond strength in laminated membranes, water-repellency performance and trim durability before materials move into manufacturing.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 May 2026

Definition of repellency

Noun

The undesirability of the undead state is inherent in the term itself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 May 2026
There are hyper-local gags about the Williamsburg bar Union Pool and the undesirability of living in the Financial District, and a creature known as Rat Pizza — like Pizza Rat in reverse.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of undesirability

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offensiveness

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“Offensiveness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensiveness. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of offensiveness

noun

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