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

Despite distancing herself from her Democratic predecessor, Klobuchar faced attacks from Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who ran in the Republican primary, arguing that her leadership would be tantamount to giving Walz another term.

— Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
The attacks come as tensions are rising between the government of western Libya and warlord Mohamed Bahroun, who controls the city of Zawiya.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of attacks

Noun

Armed groups, known as bandits in Nigeria, regularly carry out raids and kidnappings for ransom in the northwest and north-central parts of the country.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin promised quieter operations, in contrast to sweeping street raids seen in Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Chicago.

— Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of raids

Noun

The shortage is costing Ukraine most acutely, where cities some nights appear defenseless to Moscow’s rocket assaults.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Since October 2023, the number and severity of settler attacks have skyrocketed, including arson and other destruction of property, the killing of livestock, violent assaults and murder, taking place almost every day.

— Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of assaults

Noun

The report also cited the interior ministry as saying that so far this year 82 people had been arrested for offenses related to jihadist terrorism.

— Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
One of the teens, 14-year-old Julian Davis, has been charged as an adult with multiple firearms and explosives offenses, authorities said.

— Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 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

Multiple attempts by Star reporters to contact McGee Thursday afternoon were unsuccessful.

— Ilana Arougheti Updated August 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
Universities should resist government attempts to dictate scholarship, research agendas, curriculum or permissible viewpoints.

— David Rosowsky, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of attempts

Noun

The data gathered can help understand what animals are being hit and help prevent future strikes.

— Amanda Jackson, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Russian forces have increased the number of missile strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, likely as part of a push to exploit Kyiv's shortage of ballistic missile interceptors.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of strikes

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“Offensives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensives. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of offensives

noun

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