51Թ

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View synonyms for

offense

[ uh-fens aw-fens, of-ens ]

noun

  1. a violation or breaking of a social or moral rule; transgression; sin.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. a transgression of the law; misdemeanor.

    Synonyms: , ,

  3. a cause of transgression or wrong.
  4. something that offends or displeases.
  5. the act of offending or displeasing.
  6. the feeling of resentful displeasure caused:

    to give offense.

    Synonyms: , , ,

    Antonyms:

  7. the act of attacking; attack or assault:

    weapons of offense.

    Synonyms:

    Antonyms:

  8. a person, army, etc., that is attacking.

    Synonyms: ,

  9. Sports.
    1. the players or team unit responsible for attacking or scoring in a game.
    2. the players possessing or controlling the ball, puck, etc., or the aspects or period of a game when this obtains.
    3. a pattern or style of scoring attack:

      single-wing offense; fast-break offense.

    4. offensive effectiveness; ability to score:

      a total breakdown in offense.

  10. Archaic. injury, harm, or hurt.


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Other 51Թ Forms

  • -Ǵ·ڱԲ noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of offense1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English offence, offense; in part from Middle French offens, from Latin ǴڴŧԲܲ “collision, knock,” equivalent to offend(ere) ( offend ) + -tus suffix of verb action; in part from Middle French offense, ultimately from Latin ǴڴŧԲ, feminine past participle of offendere
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Idioms and Phrases

see no offense ; take offense .
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Synonym Study

See crime.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But the Lakers scored only 16 points in the fourth quarter, a feeble end for an offense that could’ve been more potent.

From

“And it’s gonna be really hard to keep this offense down.”

From

Castillo’s DNA was found in a database known as Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, that helps law enforcement link crime scenes to individuals previously convicted of certain offenses.

From

The Chargers used the draft to add firepower to an offense that sputtered last season.

From

The Bruins have several players wearing the same number on offense and defense.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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