51Թ

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View synonyms for

offensive

[ uh-fen-siv aw-fen-, of-en- ]

adjective

  1. causing resentful displeasure; highly irritating, angering, or annoying:

    offensive television commercials.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  2. unpleasant or disagreeable to the sense:

    an offensive odor.

    Synonyms: , , ,

    Antonyms:

  3. repugnant to the moral sense, good taste, or the like; insulting:

    an offensive remark; an offensive joke.

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

  4. pertaining to offense or attack:

    the offensive movements of their troops.

    Antonyms:

  5. characterized by attack; aggressive:

    offensive warfare.

noun

  1. the position or attitude of aggression or attack:

    to take the offensive.

  2. an aggressive movement or attack:

    a carefully planned naval offensive.

offensive

/ əˈɛԲɪ /

adjective

  1. unpleasant or disgusting, as to the senses
  2. causing anger or annoyance; insulting
  3. for the purpose of attack rather than defence
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the offensive
    an attitude or position of aggression
  2. an assault, attack, or military initiative, esp a strategic one
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage Note

The label Offensive is used in this dictionary to indicate that a particular term or definition is likely to be perceived as insulting by a listener or reader—an affront to that particular individual or to an entire group of like individuals—whether or not an offense was intended. Offensive is often paired with the label Disparaging, which is used to indicate that those people who use the offensive term do so to offend intentionally.
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Derived Forms

  • ǴˈڱԲԱ, noun
  • ǴˈڱԲ, adverb
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • Ǵ·ڱs· adverb
  • Ǵ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • ԴDzo·ڱs adjective
  • nonǴ·ڱs· adverb
  • nonǴ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • v·Ǵ·ڱs adjective
  • over·Ǵ·ڱs· adverb
  • over·Ǵ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • o·ڱs adjective
  • preǴ·ڱs· adverb
  • preǴ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • ܲȴ-Ǵ·ڱs adjective
  • quasi-Ǵ·ڱs· adverb
  • p·Ǵ·ڱs adjective noun
  • super·Ǵ·ڱs· adverb
  • super·Ǵ·ڱs·Ա noun
  • ܲo·ڱs adjective
  • unǴ·ڱs· adverb
  • unǴ·ڱs·Ա noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of offensive1

First recorded in 1540–50; from Medieval Latin ǴڴŧԲīܲ, from Latin ǴڴŧԲ(ܲ) “struck against” (past participle of offendere “to strike against, displease”; offend ) + -īܲ -ive
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Synonym Study

See hateful.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Two weeks after cutting off aid, a ceasefire which had offered some respite for Gazans since January collapsed when Israel resumed its military offensive.

From

A 26-year-old man was directed to leave the Shrine of Remembrance and is expected to be charged with offensive behaviour, according to Victoria Police.

From

They haven’t figured out how to stop their opponents from grabbing offensive rebound after offensive rebound.

From

The offensive line that gave up four sacks and nine quarterback hits in a playoff loss to the Houston Texans drafted only one rookie prospect: sixth-rounder Branson Taylor.

From

The offensive line was another position the Rams did not address in the draft.

From

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