offend

1
as in to trespass
to commit an offense since this is the first time you've offended, we'll let you off lightly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word offend distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of offend are affront, insult, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Where would affront be a reasonable alternative to offend?

The synonyms affront and offend are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When would insult be a good substitute for offend?

In some situations, the words insult and offend are roughly equivalent. However, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When might outrage be a better fit than offend?

The words outrage and offend are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

Example Sentences

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 offend Shouldn’t he be offended? Isaiah Briscoe led the league in scoring last year? Zach Harper, New York Times, 20 May 2025 After treating courthouse sidewalks like North Korea with better landscaping, the First Circuit reminded everyone that free speech doesn't take vacations just because one judge or police department is offended. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 Kaplan, the keeper of the NFLPA arbitration process, was clearly offended by France’s conduct. Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025 The offending employees were moved to different cottages. Jeff McDonald, Mercury News, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for offend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend
Verb
  • The lawsuit argued that the two oil companies were public nuisances, that their pollution was trespassing into the counties, and that their pollution violated the Colorado Consumer Protection Act.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
  • He was accused of trespassing and ignoring warnings to leave the Delaney Hall facility.
    Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • After Trump initially insulted Springsteen and Swift on May 16, the American Federation of Musicians International stepped up to defend the artists.
    Anna Chan, Billboard, 21 May 2025
  • The young adults had been insulting each other over text messages in an argument over a girl.
    Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • In Minnesota, leaders are bracing for the possibility that Trump will pardon Chauvin, who is serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences for murder, violating Floyd's constitutional rights and other crimes.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • The refrigerator was not cold enough and two cats roamed the shop, violating state food code.
    Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • More: Stocks fall, Dow down 800 points as bonds tank amid tax debate.
    Riley Beggin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • According to Stats Perform, only one other team has scored three or fewer runs, allowed more than 30 runs, allowed 10 or more homers and committed five or more errors during a five-game stretch as the Padres have done in falling 2½ games out in the NL West.
    Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • His partners at his music and production label Fantasy Records [whose success with Creedence Clearwater Revival helped fund the movie] were outraged.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 May 2025
  • People who supported masks and social distancing during the pandemic were outraged.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Across the street, walking to their apartments, Marta Becerra, 50, and Margarita Mota, 60, said people from the parking structure had wandered into their apartment complex, stealing bicycles and other items from people’s porches.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • Any Colorado wolves that wander into Utah, New Mexico or Arizona will be retrieved and brought back to the Centennial State, under agreements state wildlife officials inked with those neighboring states.
    Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Offend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offend. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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