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 However, Iran analysts are highly skeptical that Tehran will prove capable of launching any such large-scale ground offensives any time soon. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensives

Noun

The development comes as the global shipping industry contends with attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, higher energy prices, and sharply reduced traffic through some of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The move follows months of Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and logistics hubs that have disrupted fuel supplies and online commerce, deepening economic strain and public frustration as Russia’s war enters its fifth year.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

The government has been carrying out a counteroffensive since January, with aerial bombardments and ground assaults, despite an official commitment to the peace agreement.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Since then, the assaults have been so frequent that even the mayor has lost counts.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

That tradition came to an end with the imposition of a series of new national security offenses following the 2019 protests.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Now he’s blending parts of both offenses to fit Mensah, who will have the authority to choose the best option of what Dawson presents to him, depending on what the defense shows just before the snap.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of offenses

Noun

The United States deploys about 28,500 troops in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggressions from North Korea.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Many of the physical aggressions KFF Health News identified in CMS inspection reports were perpetrated by residents with diagnoses of dementia, schizophrenia, or other cognitive disorders.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026

Definition of aggressions

Noun

Trump has publicly stepped back from efforts to make diplomatic progress with Iran, facing deadlocked attempts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and intensifying questions about the toll an unpopular war has taken on the US military.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Deebo Samuel, not Cowing, was the team’s punt returner to open the game, and Cowing misjudged one of his early attempts, allowing the ball to bounce in front of him.

— Matt Barrows, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempts

Noun

Up until that point, Whisenhunt had thrown 27 of his 46 pitches for strikes, with a four-seam fastball touching 95 mph and a sinker in the 93-94 mph range.

— Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Critics of the strikes have questioned the overall legality as well as their effectiveness.

— CBS News, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of strikes

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offensiveness

offensives

offer

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“Offensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensives. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of offensives

noun

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