OFFENSIVES Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

offensives

noun

plural of offensive

as in attacks

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the primary offensive by the ground forces will commence at dawn tomorrow

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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 offensives Israel’s ongoing offensives have become a wedge issue for Jewish and non-Jewish Americans, leading to protests and raising antisemitism fears and questions about America’s close ties to Israel. — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 Countries are scrambling not to fall behind in AI — and French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are leading a personal charm offensives to court tech CEOs. — Kai Nicol-Schwarz,priyanka Salve, CNBC, 4 July 2026 Since the army broke the siege on el-Obeid last year, the RSF has launched multiple offensives in attempts to reestablish the siege from several directions. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 By targeting logistics hubs and resource stockpiles, Ukraine is attacking the systems that sustain Russian offensives. — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 9 June 2026 The twin offensives are targeting Hamas and Hezbollah respectively, though critics argue that the operations are motivated at least in part by domestic politics — Israel is due to hold elections by October — and are amplifying troubling humanitarian situations in Gaza and Lebanon. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 29 May 2026 In response, guerrilla groups of liberals and the left emerged, gathering thousands of people in rural areas and launching offensives against the army. — Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026 The Oilers won nine series in the last four years and represented the West in unsuccessful offensives against the Florida Panthers in each of the past two Junes. — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 1 May 2026 From these footholds, Indonesian special forces organized and launched offensives against Fretilin to force its retreat. — Agathe Demarolle, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensives

Noun

However, the continuation of attacks between the US and Iran could pose challenges to China’s economy.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The response has been hampered by a funding gap, attacks on health centers, and an ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, as well as mistrust among local communities.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

Immigration raids and wildfires dissuaded tourists from visiting, and even Canadian tourists who typically make up the largest number of foreign visitors to California dropped 21%.

— Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Now, while they can still be found in raids as rare loot for free, the coins will automatically be stashed in your TarCoin wallet, and added to your balance.

— Mike Stubbs, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of raids

Noun

The lethality of the Russian assaults on Kyiv in the past week displays the challenge Ukraine faces in protecting its capital as Russia innovates and steps up its attacks.

— Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
Rubicon focuses on targeting Ukrainian drone crews, electronic warfare systems and logistics routes located 10 to 40 kilometers behind the front, rather than directly supporting assaults, according to Lee and Putiata.

— David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

Violent crime is practically non-existent, with just 110 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2024.

— Scott Cohn, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, such as traffic violations, according to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

— Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of offenses

Noun

Russia appeared to be flexing its military muscle in a show of force with its latest aerial onslaughts on Ukraine.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Wardley, 31, had never lost in 21 bouts before Saturday, and somehow withstood numerous onslaughts from Dubois (23-3) without ever touching the canvas in a remarkable display of courage.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 9 May 2026

Definition of onslaughts

Noun

The state has pushed back for years against AT&T’s attempts to cut copper landlines.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Shaw, a conservative activist who is president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board, pointed out in an X post that voters had previously rejected four attempts to reshape the superintendent’s office.

— Lia Russell July 10, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of attempts

Noun

The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS.

— CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
That came after the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of launching strikes on an airport in the Yemeni capital and warned the attacks would end a years-long de facto truce between the two sides.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of strikes

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offensiveness

offensives

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“Offensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensives. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of offensives

noun

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