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
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Recent Examples of offensive
Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
In addition to forming a formidable tandem with defensive partner Brent Seabrook, Keith was an offensive X-factor for the Hawks.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Its current leadership, while vocal about transformation, hasn’t shown credible evidence of regaining the offensive.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Adjective
Pro Football Focus gave Ward the best offensive grade among quarterbacks with 100 or more dropbacks (92.9) and the second-best passing grade (91.7).
—Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025
In addition to forming a formidable tandem with defensive partner Brent Seabrook, Keith was an offensive X-factor for the Hawks.
—Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Noun
His fear of being perceived as an indecisive leader may have pushed him — after weeks of reportedly telling Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he would not get dragged into the conflict — to join Israel’s military offensive against Iran’s nuclear sites.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 22 June 2025
Its current leadership, while vocal about transformation, hasn’t shown credible evidence of regaining the offensive.
—Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for offensive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offensive
Adjective
-
Republicans seem to try to outdo each other to see who can be the most hateful and disgusting.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2025
-
First came the disgusting pictures of waters so fouled that they were often compared to rotting guacamole.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Hartley plays Lenny’s girlfriend, June, while Brook plays an obnoxious podcaster named Ratty.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
Of course, her obnoxious boyfriend, Harris (Josh Macqueen), whose family owns most of the real estate in town, isn’t exactly pleased with Zac’s presence.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Sunday’s attacks follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments two days ago that Moscow is ready for a fresh round of direct peace talks in Istanbul.—
Volodymyr Yurchuk,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2025
-
Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine despite talks between the two countries in Istanbul, which were supposed to lead to a ceasefire.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
The pair hit an ugly double-spinebuster on the Arabic announce table.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
-
The wild and ugly scenes saw rioters attack law enforcement with rocks and Molotov cocktails while others burned vehicles and other property.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, an unacceptable state of affairs persists.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2025
-
Sending everything to centralized clouds for processing often introduces unacceptable lag, measured in lost opportunities, safety risks or operational disruptions.—
Sven Oehme,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
This Pride month, in the face of a U.S. administration that is targeting the community and with immigration raids as a backdrop, actions like his have become more important than ever.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vogue,
25 June 2025
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Julia and Jock told me the event was cathartic, especially with everything going on: the ICE raids, the casual erasure of trans people.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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What’s more, the Steelers failed to score a first-drive touchdown all season, were awful in the red zone, were awful on first down, and mostly awful in short yardage.—
Tribune Content Agency,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 June 2025
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Outcomes for what’s referred to as ‘children in care’ remain unacceptably awful.—
Avivah Wittenberg-Cox,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
And the government routinely prosecuted people for saying things, or for producing art, that regulators or law enforcement found objectionable.—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
27 June 2025
-
Costumes can’t be offensive, violent or objectionable (even if that sounds like a deadringer description of Deadpool).—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offensive. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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