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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
the visitor unintentionally offended his hosts terribly by failing to compliment them on the elaborately prepared meal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to violate
to fail to keep
offended conventional standards of uniformity by not adhering to the company dress code
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Many viewers have been critical of producers for failing to catch offending social media posts before sending contestants into the show.
—
Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 8 July 2025
In the city that Jordan built, new Bulls players often walk a tightrope to avoid offending the fan base with a potentially controversial take.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
While some Hollywood studios such as Lionsgate and Blumhouse have collaborated with AI companies, others have been reluctant to announce partnerships at the risk of offending talent that have voiced concerns over how AI could be used to alter their digital likeness without adequate compensation.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
The LinkedIn feed is full of safe, vanilla content because everyone's scared to offend.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for offend
Daysia Tolentino, EW.com, 8 July 2025
In the city that Jordan built, new Bulls players often walk a tightrope to avoid offending the fan base with a potentially controversial take.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
While some Hollywood studios such as Lionsgate and Blumhouse have collaborated with AI companies, others have been reluctant to announce partnerships at the risk of offending talent that have voiced concerns over how AI could be used to alter their digital likeness without adequate compensation.
—Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
The LinkedIn feed is full of safe, vanilla content because everyone's scared to offend.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for offend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offend
Verb
-
The teen was with a group of other young people who were trespassing on the Framingham/Worcester Line when the crash occurred, transit police told MassLive.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
27 June 2025
-
This reclassification grants the Army's U.S. Northern Command expanded authority to enforce immigration laws, including the power to search and temporarily detain those who trespass in the new military zone.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
Heard believed someone behind him insulted him, leading to him shooting Betker Jr. multiple times, according to court documents.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
8 July 2025
-
Financially blacklisting trans, intersex, and non-binary perspectives will rob us of a vital literature yet to be written while insulting the dignity of LGBTQIA+ people everywhere.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
According to a spokesperson for the National Police Association, there are too many people violating home detention in Maryland who are committing crimes while wearing their ankle monitors.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 July 2025
-
Last year, the Department of Justice sued Legends for violating federal waiting period requirements related to its acquisition of ASM Global, which was the former operator of Pechanga Arena San Diego.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
As 2024 began, demand for electricity on the national grid started falling—not because the economy was in decline but because (as careful scrutiny of images on Google Earth revealed) so many Pakistanis were putting up solar panels.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
-
Partner that with another warning sign: A declining ratio of U.S. exports to imports while the U.S. deficit increases into record territory – like trade falling two months in a row, atypical since the former tends to remain steady even as the deficit increases.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The release also outraged some supporters of the president, who had been promised that more details would be made public.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
-
What further outraged Roberts and another Cook accuser, however, is what did not appear in the report: that the mayor, who was married and more than 30 years older than each woman at the time, sent them late-night and personal texts alluding to poetry.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Between all that, cosplayers wander around and fans stop to buy action figures, play video games and meet their favorite artists.—
Olivia Petty,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
So why are astronomers suddenly so many interstellar objects wandering through our Solar System?—
Kiona N. Smith,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offend. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share