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
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025
The offensive line has played well all summer, especially in the running game, even if the Giants joint practices showed some inconsistencies in the passing game.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
Patricia Zengerle, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
In addition to mounting global outrage, sweeping protests have increasingly dominated Israel's streets, with growing numbers demanding an end to the offensive in the enclave.
—Paul Goldman, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
The Niners have shuttled in defense linemen, offensive linemen, running backs, wide receivers, and now quarterbacks to get through practices.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025
The offensive line has played well all summer, especially in the running game, even if the Giants joint practices showed some inconsistencies in the passing game.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
Israel's offensive has since killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, plunged Gaza into humanitarian crisis and displaced most of its population, according to Gaza health authorities.
—Patricia Zengerle, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
In addition to mounting global outrage, sweeping protests have increasingly dominated Israel's streets, with growing numbers demanding an end to the offensive in the enclave.
—Paul Goldman, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
One of the guests makes a disgusting joke involving the boat and lubricant.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Leftovers on a plate are more disgusting than leftovers in a pot, and leftovers on someone else’s plate more disgusting still.—
Rafil Kroll-Zaidi,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This conflict has a way of sanitizing what at one time was unfathomable, converting obnoxious practices into acceptable behavior.—
Hussein Agha,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Among the concerns raised: public intoxication; rowdy or obnoxious behavior; overconsumption and underage drinking; litter, and the environmental impact of single-use plastic cups.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Blue Fire is the largest fire as of this report, estimated at about 20 acres by air attack.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Trump has stepped up attacks on the Fed as part of his push to drive down interest rates.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This obviously created some hard feelings and things got very ugly.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The stan fighting quickly turned ugly; a fan posted a racist meme of Huda as the police officer who murdered George Floyd, with Olandria’s face pasted on Floyd’s.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Hertz’s 10-month delay in contacting you is unacceptable and likely violates their own policies for handling claims efficiently.—
Christopher Elliott,
Mercury News,
28 Aug. 2025
-
By the federal government’s own standards, USAID’s fire sale is unacceptable.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Key Background In June, Trump took control of the California National Guard to respond to ongoing protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles, quickly sending some 4,000 troops to the city.—
Zachary Folk,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Earlier in January, Homan was joined by the TV personality Dr. Phil in a blitz of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Chicago.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Don’t rely on an aesthetic that most people can easily see is awful.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Traveling down a dirt road in the park, the men heard the awful sound of a tire on the RV going flat.—
Keith Matheny,
Freep.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The Constitution protects a broad swath of speech, including much that the public finds objectionable.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
13 June 2025
-
The San Remo was happy to take Dustin Hoffman and Demi Moore but found Madonna and Calvin Klein objectionable.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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