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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of offensive
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
Boston’s offensive approach will be a top storyline as the Celtics look to even the second-round series in Game 2 on Wednesday.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 May 2025
Jordana Miller, ABC News, 5 May 2025
Despite international outrage, Israel has not only kept the gates shut past 63 days, but the security Cabinet is voting Sunday night to expand its offensive in Gaza.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
Armstead was one of the main driving forces behind the offensive line coming into the building on the player’s day off the past three seasons, doing their rehab work, and advance film study together on Tuesdays.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
Boston’s offensive approach will be a top storyline as the Celtics look to even the second-round series in Game 2 on Wednesday.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 May 2025
Noun
Israel imposed a block on all humanitarian aid and other supplies entering Gaza on March 2 -- two weeks before resuming its offensive.
—Jordana Miller, ABC News, 5 May 2025
Despite international outrage, Israel has not only kept the gates shut past 63 days, but the security Cabinet is voting Sunday night to expand its offensive in Gaza.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
Police call fake GoFundMe page 'disgusting' Concord Police Capt. Brian Goldman said police are investigating.—
Norman Miller,
USA Today,
7 May 2025
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But where was the anger from Erik Spoelstra in his post-game news conference about this disgusting performance?—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But some less-expensive papers have an overwhelmingly obnoxious chemical smell.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
10 May 2025
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The Ford Ranger Raptor is big, beautifully obnoxious, comfortable, quick and carries many logs.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
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The attack left about 1,200 people dead, and militants captured Alexander and some 250 others to hold hostage. 'Greatest gift': Family of NJ's Edan Alexander heads to Israel as Hamas agrees to release How many hostages remain in Gaza?—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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In late August, Schuyler belatedly learned that Washington was preparing a second prong of attack, which would depart from Massachusetts and make its way north through the wilds of Maine and Quebec under Arnold’s command.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
The series between the Warriors and the Rockets was slow, low scoring, and ugly—which is exactly how the younger, less experienced Rockets wanted it.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
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This wasn’t the first time Green was subjected to ugly behavior from opposing fans.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
10 May 2025
Adjective
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All these attacks are unacceptable, and this isn't just an American problem.—
Mandalit del Barco,
NPR,
13 May 2025
-
That should be unacceptable to American negotiators.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The daily remote raid limit is also being increased from five to 10, and a new bundle for Remote Raid Passes has been added to the Pokémon Go web store, which includes two Remote Raid Passes for $2.99.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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The New Mexico Avenue location of Chef Geoff’s — one of two D.C. restaurants owned and operated by O’Donnell’s husband, Geoff Tracy — was subject to a raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the morning of Tuesday, May 6.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Councilmember Vivian Moreno said the timing on the prostitution detectives seems awful, with prostitution appearing to have gotten worse in recent months on Dalbergia Street in Barrio Logan.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Alisha Weir stars as the whip-smart Matilda Wormwood, who escapes her awful parents (Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough) by disappearing into books and finding a friend in Lashana Lynch’s sweet Miss Honey at her terrifying new school.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Decriminalizing prostitution would undoubtedly help law enforcement specifically target objectionable forms of prostitution but until that happens, such loitering laws are required.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
8 May 2025
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But at the same time, much of Means’s philosophy toward health doesn’t seem that objectionable.—
Nicholas Florko,
The Atlantic,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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